<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SERV-TECH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AS OF
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               32,378,480
<ALLOWANCES>                               (1,010,913)
<INVENTORY>                                  2,214,434
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            53,470,207
<PP&E>                                      45,993,761
<DEPRECIATION>                            (19,337,005)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              98,943,903
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       40,680,899
<BONDS>                                     15,170,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     3,436,975
<OTHER-SE>                                  39,102,029
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                98,943,903
<SALES>                                    106,159,971
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           106,159,971
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               83,745,125
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,632,930
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 65,952
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (20,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             45,952
<DISCONTINUED>                            (11,733,754)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (11,687,802)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.75)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0