<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FORM (A) THE
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SERV-TECH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AS OF MARCH
31,1 997, AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH (B) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                       2,837,299
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               46,913,217
<ALLOWANCES>                               (1,534,298)
<INVENTORY>                                  2,006,432
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            57,443,885
<PP&E>                                      46,479,875
<DEPRECIATION>                            (21,851,915)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             100,484,793
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       44,771,770
<BONDS>                                     13,835,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     3,434,855
<OTHER-SE>                                  35,481,459
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               100,484,793
<SALES>                                     70,110,008
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            70,110,008
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               56,504,800
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             707,764
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              3,156,797
<INCOME-TAX>                               (1,357,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          1,799,797
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,799,797
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .25