<ARTICLE>5
<LEGEND>
THIS  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL   INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM  THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CRYOLIFE,  INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                                         
<PERIOD-TYPE>                               YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                    DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                                       JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                                         DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                                                 1,369,699
<SECURITIES>                                                              43,145
<RECEIVABLES>                                                          6,571,751
<ALLOWANCES>                                                              94,287
<INVENTORY>                                                              260,796
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                      18,181,323
<PP&E>                                                                17,353,960
<DEPRECIATION>                                                         5,787,596
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                        34,972,719
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                  7,244,628
<BONDS>                                                                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                          0
<PREFERRED>                                                                    0
<COMMON>                                                                 101,103
<OTHER-SE>                                                            24,828,088
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                          34,972,719
<SALES>                                                                        0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                      37,228,354
<CGS>                                                                          0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                         12,593,126
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                      18,551,612
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                         166,600
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                        71,800
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                        6,083,616
<INCOME-TAX>                                                           2,156,135
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                    3,927,481
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                                           3,927,481
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                .41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                .41