<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM PONDER
INDUSTRIES, INC.'S CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 1999,
AND ITS CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS THEN
ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1999
<CASH>                                             198
<SECURITIES>                                       240
<RECEIVABLES>                                    6,862
<ALLOWANCES>                                       698
<INVENTORY>                                      4,421
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                11,457
<PP&E>                                          39,773
<DEPRECIATION>                                (17,577)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  35,286
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           17,238
<BONDS>                                            363
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            94
<OTHER-SE>                                      16,696
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    35,286
<SALES>                                          9,473
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 9,473
<CGS>                                            4,036
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   10,706
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    20
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 919
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (2,528)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,528)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,528)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.27)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.27)