<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SERV-TECH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AS OF DECEMBER
31, 1996, AND FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                       4,532,622
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               24,307,240
<ALLOWANCES>                                 (904,298)
<INVENTORY>                                  2,026,359
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            34,376,184
<PP&E>                                      46,662,106
<DEPRECIATION>                            (20,387,080)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              81,144,101
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       27,707,465
<BONDS>                                     15,170,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     3,436,855
<OTHER-SE>                                  33,794,935
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                81,144,101
<SALES>                                    142,385,571
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           142,385,571
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              112,462,899
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,357,795
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (2,226,853)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   237,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (2,463,853)
<DISCONTINUED>                            (14,668,754)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (14,668,754)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (2.55)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0