<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
RUBY MINING COMPANY FORM 10-QSB FOR THE PERIOD ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 1997
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000085684
<NAME> RUBY MINING COMPANY
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1997
<CASH>                                          33,800
<SECURITIES>                                       300
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                34,100
<PP&E>                                          39,600
<DEPRECIATION>                                (31,600)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 383,600
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           47,700
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         9,000
<OTHER-SE>                                     326,900
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   383,600
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   800
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 9,700
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (8,900)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (8,900)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (8,900)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0