<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM GLOBAL
INDUSTRIES, LTD.'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 10Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                          17,287
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  108,022
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               177,322
<PP&E>                                         527,077
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 775,902
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          102,274
<BONDS>                                        249,977
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           926
<OTHER-SE>                                     390,911
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   775,902
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                78,740
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   73,594
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,255
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (9,184)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (3,166)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (6,018)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                          783
<NET-INCOME>                                    (6,801)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (.07)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.07)