<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF CLINTRIALS RESEARCH INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2000
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                           7,641
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   31,621
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,473
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                43,722
<PP&E>                                          61,134
<DEPRECIATION>                                  22,464
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 116,709
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           28,746
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           184
<OTHER-SE>                                      82,215
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   116,709
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                23,774
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   16,130
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 9,756
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  26
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (2,006)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       435
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (2,441)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (2,441)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (0.13)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.13)