<ARTICLE> 5

                    <LEGEND>  
                    THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                    EXTRACTED FROM  AMERICAN ECO CORPORATION'S FORM 10-K
                    FOR THE YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED
                    IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
                    STATEMENTS. 
                    </LEGEND>        
                            
                                                      
                    <MULTIPLIER>                       1000
                    <PERIOD-TYPE>     YEAR
                    <FISCAL-YEAR-END>           NOV-30-1996
                    <PERIOD-END>                NOV-30-1996
                    <CASH>                              497
                    <SECURITIES>                          0
                    <RECEIVABLES>                    27,959
                    <ALLOWANCES>                      (346)
                    <INVENTORY>                       6,807
                    <CURRENT-ASSETS>                 44,255
                    <PP&E>                           41,429
                    <DEPRECIATION>                   (8,191)                    <TOTAL-ASSETS>                  104,484
                    <CURRENT-LIABILITIES>            40,975
                    <BONDS>                             102
                    <PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                 0
                    <PREFERRED>                           0
                    <COMMON>                         39,411
                    <OTHER-SE>                       15,632
                    <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>    104,484
                    <SALES>                               0
                    <TOTAL-REVENUES>                119,529
                    <CGS>                                 0
                    <TOTAL-COSTS>                   107,819
                    <OTHER-EXPENSES>                  2,009
                    <LOSS-PROVISION>                      0
                    <INTEREST-EXPENSE>                1,747
                    <INCOME-PRETAX>                   7,954
                    <INCOME-TAX>                       (809)
                    <INCOME-CONTINUING>                8,763
                    <DISCONTINUED>                         0
                    <EXTRAORDINARY>                        0
                    <CHANGES>                              0
                    <NET-INCOME>                       8,763
                    <EPS-PRIMARY>                       0.81
                    <EPS-DILUTED>                        0