<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ENERGY
RESEARCH CORPORATION'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED 
JANUARY 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1997
<CASH>                                           4,734
<SECURITIES>                                     1,980
<RECEIVABLES>                                    3,353
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                         65
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                10,865
<PP&E>                                          18,004
<DEPRECIATION>                                  10,368
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  21,780
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            3,878
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        13,575
<OTHER-SE>                                         600
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    21,780
<SALES>                                          5,696
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 5,696
<CGS>                                            3,878
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    5,652
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               (101)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    131
<INCOME-TAX>                                        56
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 75
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        75
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .02