<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED 
FROM THE HANOVER COMPRESSOR COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE 
TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                          11,503
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   71,417
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,212
<INVENTORY>                                     63,044
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               165,056
<PP&E>                                         470,726
<DEPRECIATION>                                  78,228
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 614,590
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           51,792
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       269,034
<OTHER-SE>                                      47,679
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   614,590
<SALES>                                        104,919
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               281,957
<CGS>                                           83,925
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  220,605
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,716
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 49,636
<INCOME-TAX>                                    19,259
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             30,377
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    30,377
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.07
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.01