<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM HOLMES
PROTECTION GROUP, INC. SECOND QUARTER FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                             539
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    5,045
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,097
<INVENTORY>                                      1,756
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 8,840
<PP&E>                                         118,179
<DEPRECIATION>                                  72,663
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  76,601
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           15,016
<BONDS>                                          3,668
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            45
<OTHER-SE>                                      46,891
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    76,601
<SALES>                                          3,402
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                24,483
<CGS>                                            2,797
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   12,809
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                12,276
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  (58)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 318
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (909)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (173)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (736)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (736)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.17)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.17)