<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
CRESTED CORP. FORM 10-Q FOR QUARTER ENDED AUGUST 31, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000025657
<NAME> CRESTED CORP.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1996
<CASH>                                          34,700
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  185,500
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     80,200
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               686,500
<PP&E>                                       5,195,800
<DEPRECIATION>                             (2,876,900)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               8,199,500
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        7,090,700
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        10,100
<OTHER-SE>                                     299,800
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 8,199,500
<SALES>                                         67,800
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               185,300
<CGS>                                           26,500
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  338,500
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                58,800
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,500
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (212,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (212,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (212,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0