<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM HOLMES 
PROTECTION GROUP, INC. FIRST QUARTER FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                             262
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    5,991
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,119
<INVENTORY>                                      1,840
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                10,454
<PP&E>                                         115,435
<DEPRECIATION>                                  69,495
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  79,360
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           16,562
<BONDS>                                          4,248
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            45
<OTHER-SE>                                      47,374
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    79,360
<SALES>                                          2,597
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                12,292
<CGS>                                            1,322
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    6,429
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 5,858
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    54
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 184
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (168)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        85
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (253)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (253)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.06)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.06)