<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000909992 <NAME> THE BEARD COMPANY <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <CASH> 240 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 2468 <ALLOWANCES> (72) <INVENTORY> 998 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 4158 <PP&E> 17239 <DEPRECIATION> (8416) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 15419 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 2777 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 1200 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 3 <OTHER-SE> 8229 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 15419 <SALES> 2918 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 4122 <CGS> 2025 <TOTAL-COSTS> 4447 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 66 <LOSS-PROVISION> 30 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3 <INCOME-PRETAX> (424) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (424) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (424) <EPS-PRIMARY> (0.15) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.15)