<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED) AND CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 OF APEX SILVER
MINES LIMITED.
</LEGEND>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 DEC-31-1996
<CASH> 8,806,284 25,949,771
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 0 0
<ALLOWANCES> 0 0
<INVENTORY> 0 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 9,307,601<F1> 26,103,996<F1>
<PP&E> 703,845 524,335
<DEPRECIATION> (23,720) (801)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 14,334,927<F2> 26,797,304<F2>
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,356,058 2,485,994
<BONDS> 0 0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0
<PREFERRED> 0 0
<COMMON> 136,015 130,792
<OTHER-SE> 0 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 14,334,927 26,797,304
<SALES> 0 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 607,072 574,470
<CGS> 0 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 16,889,348 15,173,710
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> (16,282,276) (14,599,240)
<INCOME-TAX> 0 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 2,875,927<F3>
<NET-INCOME> (16,282,276) (11,723,313)
<EPS-PRIMARY> (1.21) (1.07)
<EPS-DILUTED> (1.21) (1.07)
<FN>
<F1> TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS INCLUDE "PREPAID EXPENSES" OF $501,317 IN 1997 AND
$154,225 IN 1996.
<F2> TOTAL ASSETS INCLUDE "DEFERRED ORGANIZATIONAL COSTS" (NET) OF $127,331 FOR
1997 AND $169,774 FOR 1996.
<F3> CHANGES EQUALS A "MINORITY INTEREST" OF 2,875,927
</FN>