<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> EXHIBIT 27 - FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GOVERNMENT
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                       9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                             142
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  121,063
<ALLOWANCES>                                    (3,607)
<INVENTORY>                                     63,327
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               188,703
<PP&E>                                          17,059
<DEPRECIATION>                                  (8,169)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 199,142
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          158,106
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            34
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   199,142
<SALES>                                        344,630
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               344,630
<CGS>                                          319,436
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  319,436
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                29,031
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 663
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (4,500)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (4,500)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (4,500)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.67)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0