<ARTICLE> BD
<LEGEND>
Financial Data Schedule for the first quarter ended March 31, 1996
required pursuant to Item 601(c) of Regulation S-K and Regulation S-B
and Rule 401 of Regulation S-T.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000791963
<NAME> FAHNESTOCK VINER HOLDINGS INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> 1
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                       9,688,000
<RECEIVABLES>                              501,500,000
<SECURITIES-RESALE>                            973,000
<SECURITIES-BORROWED>                      192,353,000
<INSTRUMENTS-OWNED>                         34,446,000
<PP&E>                                       1,557,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             550,671,000
<SHORT-TERM>                                14,464,000
<PAYABLES>                                 109,075,000
<REPOS-SOLD>                                         0
<SECURITIES-LOANED>                        293,957,000
<INSTRUMENTS-SOLD>                          19,017,000
<LONG-TERM>                                     30,000
<COMMON>                                    39,262,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                  74,866,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               550,671,000
<TRADING-REVENUE>                           23,592,000
<INTEREST-DIVIDENDS>                         8,425,000
<COMMISSIONS>                               17,483,000
<INVESTMENT-BANKING-REVENUES>                1,903,000
<FEE-REVENUE>                                2,614,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           4,795,000
<COMPENSATION>                              26,686,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             14,177,000
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                  14,177,000
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 7,891,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.63
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.61