<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Global
Industries, Ltd.'s financial statements for the six-months ended September 30,
1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          10,614
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  106,373
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               135,152
<PP&E>                                         389,298
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 538,475
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           76,170
<BONDS>                                         97,451
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           912
<OTHER-SE>                                     338,344
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   538,475
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               171,948
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  113,252
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 480
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 47,506
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,052
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             29,454
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    29,454
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0