<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF MAY 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <CIK> 0000025657 <NAME> CRESTED CORP. <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAY-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> JUN-01-1995 <PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1996 <CASH> 52,600 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 206,800 <ALLOWANCES> 7,000 <INVENTORY> 33,600 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 596,200 <PP&E> 5,189,400 <DEPRECIATION> 2,832,800 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 8,132,500 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 6,848,300 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 10,100 <OTHER-SE> 511,800 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 8,132,500 <SALES> 1,663,500 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,509,200 <CGS> 1,822,400 <TOTAL-COSTS> 2,629,300 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 690,900 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 48,700 <INCOME-PRETAX> (1,168,900) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (1,168,900) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (1,168,900) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.12) <EPS-DILUTED> (.12)