<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains financial information extracted from the Envirotest
Systems Corp. Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1997 and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          18,685
<SECURITIES>                                    40,955
<RECEIVABLES>                                   11,789
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                77,340
<PP&E>                                         247,989
<DEPRECIATION>                                  59,647
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 379,733
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           37,794
<BONDS>                                        312,800
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           165
<OTHER-SE>                                      18,633
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   379,733
<SALES>                                        140,664
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               140,664
<CGS>                                           98,859
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   98,859
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                17,528
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              40,220
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (7,301)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             24,277
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  1,324
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (8,265)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.52)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.52)