<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
ENVIROTEST SYSTEMS CORP. FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          53,104
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   90,969
<ALLOWANCES>                                       449
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               158,496
<PP&E>                                         232,629
<DEPRECIATION>                                  40,229
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 480,784
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           41,888
<BONDS>                                        420,476
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           166
<OTHER-SE>                                      12,988
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   480,784
<SALES>                                        124,472
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               124,472
<CGS>                                          102,149
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  102,149
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                11,677
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                75,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              29,997
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (19,426)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,638
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (25,064)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (25,064)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  $(1.51)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  $(1.51)