<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
ENERGY RESEARCH CORPORATION'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD
ENDED JULY 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1996
<CASH>                                           5,472
<SECURITIES>                                     3,909
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,413
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        780
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                13,040
<PP&E>                                          16,450
<DEPRECIATION>                                   9,538
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  23,422
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            6,208
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        12,352
<OTHER-SE>                                         600
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    23,422
<SALES>                                         22,194
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                22,194
<CGS>                                           16,167
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   21,930
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               (389)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    483
<INCOME-TAX>                                       176
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                307
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       307
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .08