<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ENERGY
RESEARCH CORPORATION'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED APRIL 30, 1997
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997
<CASH>                                           6,700
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,760
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        114
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                10,258
<PP&E>                                          18,538
<DEPRECIATION>                                  10,771
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  21,215
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            3,483
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        13,676
<OTHER-SE>                                         600
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    21,215
<SALES>                                         11,755
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                11,755
<CGS>                                            7,800
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   11,698
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               (173)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    277
<INCOME-TAX>                                       126
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                151
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       151
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .04
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .04