<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK>   0001058560
<NAME>  EVEREST HEALTHCARE SERVICES CORPORATION
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                            OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                              SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                      2,456,669
<SECURITIES>                                        0         
<RECEIVABLES>                              32,387,323
<ALLOWANCES>                                2,791,000
<INVENTORY>                                 2,640,442
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           38,272,103 
<PP&E>                                     29,542,083
<DEPRECIATION>                             14,567,911
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                            102,757,347
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      17,576,835
<BONDS>                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                            0
<OTHER-SE>                                 42,439,405
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>              102,757,347
<SALES>                                   113,808,296 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                          113,808,296
<CGS>                                      72,057,929         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                             102,087,674 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            1,600,784
<LOSS-PROVISION>                              714,166
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          2,961,528
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             8,250,165
<INCOME-TAX>                                3,689,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         4,561,165
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                4,561,165
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       0