<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM GLOBAL
INDUSTRIES, LTD.'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1999
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 10Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                          23,131
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  104,729
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               163,705
<PP&E>                                         535,981
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 734,469
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           76,485
<BONDS>                                        209,152
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           924
<OTHER-SE>                                     396,677
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   734,469
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               171,635
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  152,770
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,636
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (1,379)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (483)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (896)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (896)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (.01)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.01)