<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE CRESTED CORP. FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED MAY 31, 1997 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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1997
<CASH>                                          37,100
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  663,300
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,200
<INVENTORY>                                     48,300
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,049,500
<PP&E>                                       5,181,300
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,017,700
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,285,700
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        6,592,400
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        10,200
<OTHER-SE>                                   (824,700)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 6,285,700
<SALES>                                         82,300
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,703,500
<CGS>                                           48,400
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   48,400
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             2,517,500
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,900
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (1,670,300)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (1,670,300)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (1,670,300)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.16)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.16)