<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE RUBY MINING COMPANY FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED AUGUST 31, 1997
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000085684
<NAME> RUBY MINING COMPANY
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              JUN-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1997
<CASH>                                          34,300
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        300
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                34,600
<PP&E>                                          39,600
<DEPRECIATION>                                (31,600)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 173,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           52,800
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         9,000
<OTHER-SE>                                     111,200
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   120,200
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   300
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,200
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      0
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,900)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0