<ARTICLE> BD
<LEGEND> Financial Data Schedule for the first quarter ended March 31, 1997
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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                  JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                    MAR-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                           1
<CASH>                           10,875,000
<RECEIVABLES>                   299,907,000
<SECURITIES-RESALE>               2,923,000
<SECURITIES-BORROWED>           181,772,000
<INSTRUMENTS-OWNED>              36,263,000
<PP&E>                            1,898,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                  535,924,000
<SHORT-TERM>                      7,226,000
<PAYABLES>                      147,892,000
<REPOS-SOLD>                              0
<SECURITIES-LOANED>             218,372,000
<INSTRUMENTS-SOLD>               19,198,000
<LONG-TERM>                          30,000
<COMMON>                         40,827,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                     0
<PREFERRED>                               0
<OTHER-SE>                      102,379,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>    535,924,000
<TRADING-REVENUE>                17,537,000
<INTEREST-DIVIDENDS>              7,406,000
<COMMISSIONS>                    18,853,000
<INVESTMENT-BANKING-REVENUES>     3,160,000
<FEE-REVENUE>                     2,865,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                3,078,000
<COMPENSATION>                   24,453,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                  12,734,000
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>       12,734,000
<EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<CHANGES>                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                      7,069,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                          0.55
<EPS-DILUTED>                          0.53