<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM PONDER
INDUSTRIES, INC.'S CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 1996,
AND ITS CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS THEN
ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1996
<CASH>                                         180,300
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                4,798,078
<ALLOWANCES>                                   153,491
<INVENTORY>                                  3,144,710
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             8,427,189
<PP&E>                                      30,041,245
<DEPRECIATION>                            (13,223,662)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              29,603,625
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        7,285,006
<BONDS>                                     14,553,423
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       126,360
<OTHER-SE>                                   6,146,968
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                29,603,625
<SALES>                                      5,141,125
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             5,141,125
<CGS>                                        2,202,620
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,202,620
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             3,477,334
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                15,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             353,763
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (881,635)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (881,635)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (881,635)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.07)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.04)