<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS LEGEND CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ENERGY
RESEARCH CORPORATION'S FORM 10K FOR THE PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<CASH>                                           6,802
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,828
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                         47
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                10,161
<PP&E>                                          19,511
<DEPRECIATION>                                  11,257
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  21,433
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            3,795
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        14,169
<OTHER-SE>                                         600
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    21,433
<SALES>                                         24,830
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                24,830
<CGS>                                           15,642
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   24,761
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 354
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    672
<INCOME-TAX>                                       247
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                425
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       425
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .10