WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Global
Industries, Ltd.'s financial statements for the nine-months ended December 31,
1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<Multiplier  1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                    DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                            6,295
<SECURITIES>                          0
<RECEIVABLES>                    55,461
<ALLOWANCES>                          0
<INVENTORY>                           0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                 93,851
<PP&E>                          196,425
<DEPRECIATION>                        0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                  326,335
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>            52,680
<BONDS>                          90,127
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                 0
<PREFERRED>                           0
<COMMON>                            382
<OTHER-SE>                      163,748
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>    326,335
<SALES>                               0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                 56,776
<CGS>                                 0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                    41,496
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                      0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                  121
<INCOME-PRETAX>                  11,521
<INCOME-TAX>                      3,449
<INCOME-CONTINUING>               8,072
<DISCONTINUED>                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                       0
<CHANGES>                             0
<NET-INCOME>                      8,072
<EPS-PRIMARY>                       .20
<EPS-DILUTED>                         0