<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, 1997
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1997
<CASH>                                           6,980
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,233
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        117
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                10,024
<PP&E>                                          19,465
<DEPRECIATION>                                  11,218
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  21,368
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            3,652
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        13,931
<OTHER-SE>                                         600
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    21,368
<SALES>                                         18,203
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                18,203
<CGS>                                           11,521
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   18,045
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               (271)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    562
<INCOME-TAX>                                       216
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                346
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       346
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .09