<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MEADOW
VALLEY CORP & SUB AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997           
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                       5,192,734
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               29,325,917
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            35,267,013
<PP&E>                                       9,594,170
<DEPRECIATION>                                 865,671
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              46,138,526
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       28,186,500
<BONDS>                                      6,550,039
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,601
<OTHER-SE>                                  12,707,235
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                46,138,526
<SALES>                                    103,132,598
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           103,132,598
<CGS>                                       97,518,432
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               97,518,432
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             476,286
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,684,067
<INCOME-TAX>                                   650,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,034,067
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0