<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> MICROTEL INTERNATIONAL, INC. FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <CASH> 271 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 3,122 <ALLOWANCES> 186 <INVENTORY> 3,004 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 6,698 <PP&E> 2,787 <DEPRECIATION> 2,261 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 9,319 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 6,000 <BONDS> 36 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 10 <OTHER-SE> 2,766 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 9,319 <SALES> 16,303 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 16,303 <CGS> 10,819 <TOTAL-COSTS> 10,819 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,817 <LOSS-PROVISION> (175) <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 319 <INCOME-PRETAX> (4,682) <INCOME-TAX> (85) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (4,597) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (4,597) <EPS-PRIMARY> (1.65) <EPS-DILUTED> (1.65)