<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM PONDER
INDUSTRIES, INC.'S CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF MAY 31, 1997, AND
ITS CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS THEN
ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1997
<CASH>                                          52,567
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                5,792,897
<ALLOWANCES>                                   314,348
<INVENTORY>                                  3,569,345
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             9,219,884
<PP&E>                                      32,470,741 
<DEPRECIATION>                            (13,865,029)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              32,579,958
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       17,817,594
<BONDS>                                      8,726,892
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       149,169
<OTHER-SE>                                   4,207,412
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                32,579,958
<SALES>                                     16,002,998
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            16,002,998
<CGS>                                        6,808,516
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               19,381,406
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                14,694
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,626,482
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (5,045,216)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (5,045,216)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (5,045,216)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.40)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.40)