<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
AMERICAN ECO CORPORATION'S FORM 10-K FOR THE PERIOD ENDED NOVEMBER 30,
1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1998
<CASH>                                          21,821
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   53,171
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,378)
<INVENTORY>                                     23,080
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               128,286
<PP&E>                                          68,280
<DEPRECIATION>                                  13,445    
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 250,383
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           37,048
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        89,853
<OTHER-SE>                                         385
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   250,383
<SALES>                                        299,789
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               299,789
<CGS>                                          253,638
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  328,670
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,498
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,506
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (39,885)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (9,706)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (30,179)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (30,179)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.44)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.44)