<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM PONDER
INDUSTRIES, INC.'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF AUGUST 31, 1997, AND ITS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR THEN ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1997
<CASH>                                               4
<SECURITIES>                                       800
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,791
<ALLOWANCES>                                       657
<INVENTORY>                                      2,622
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 7,606
<PP&E>                                          31,383
<DEPRECIATION>                                  14,278
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  26,617
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           16,452
<BONDS>                                          7,050
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           176
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,293
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    26,617
<SALES>                                         21,875
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                21,875
<CGS>                                            9,555
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    9,555
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                17,150
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   519
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,402
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (9,921)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (9,921)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (9,921)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.73)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.73)