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

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                          36,328
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  114,420
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               187,394
<PP&E>                                         544,679
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 811,153
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          173,851
<BONDS>                                        192,922
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           925
<OTHER-SE>                                     399,837
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   811,153
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               300,909
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  263,293
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,762
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (636)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (3,168)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,532
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,532
<EPS-BASIC>                                    (.03)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.03)