<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000909992
<NAME> THE BEARD COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                             290
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,392
<ALLOWANCES>                                        50
<INVENTORY>                                      2,891
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 6,064
<PP&E>                                          15,840
<DEPRECIATION>                                   7,571
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  16,950
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            4,310
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            1,200
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             3
<OTHER-SE>                                       8,750
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    16,950
<SALES>                                          6,332
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 7,420
<CGS>                                            4,483
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    8,307
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (932)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     7
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  98
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (60)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (60)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (60)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.02)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.02)