<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM GLOBAL
INDUSTRIES, LTD.'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                          20,859
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  115,417
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               185,228
<PP&E>                                         530,002
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 779,650
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           92,416
<BONDS>                                        266,280
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           936
<OTHER-SE>                                     387,911
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   779,650
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               226,081
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  200,565
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,839
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (13,551)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,355)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (12,196)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                          783
<NET-INCOME>                                  (12,979)
<EPS-BASIC>                                   (0.14)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.14)