<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL  INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM AMERICAN ECO
CORPORATION'S  FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED AUGUST 31, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

                                       20

</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                        0000868076
<NAME>                         American Eco Corporation
<MULTIPLIER>                                      1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                     9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           NOV-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              JUN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1998
<CASH>                                           19,912
<SECURITIES>                                          0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    55,834
<ALLOWANCES>                                      2,182
<INVENTORY>                                      20,494
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                137,493
<PP&E>                                           56,146
<DEPRECIATION>                                   12,226
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  277,843
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            30,815
<BONDS>                                         120,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                 0
<PREFERRED>                                           0
<COMMON>                                         89,918
<OTHER-SE>                                       32,206
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    277,843
<SALES>                                         182,498
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                182,498
<CGS>                                           142,637
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   142,637
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 28,649
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                3,206
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   5,606
<INCOME-TAX>                                      1,906
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               3,700
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0
<CHANGES>                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                      3,700
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      0.18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      0.16