<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM AVONDALE
INDUSTRIES, INC.'S QUARTERLY REPORT FILED ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
MARCH 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                          64,366
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   75,227
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     14,339
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               177,888
<PP&E>                                         254,762
<DEPRECIATION>                               (124,130)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 321,418
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           94,895
<BONDS>                                         58,205
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        15,927
<OTHER-SE>                                     139,867
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   321,418
<SALES>                                        156,496
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               156,496
<CGS>                                          139,210
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  139,210
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,386
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,436
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,700
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,736
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,736
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.33