<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Global
Industries, Ltd.'s financial statements for the nine-months ended December 31,
1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          27,115
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  100,855
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               159,794
<PP&E>                                         409,638
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 611,110
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           92,474
<BONDS>                                        135,730
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           913
<OTHER-SE>                                     352,394
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   611,110
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               292,383
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  201,470
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,459
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 74,711
<INCOME-TAX>                                    28,390
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             46,321
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    46,321
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .49