<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM AER ENERGY
RESOURCES, INC.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                      14,548,794
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,955
<ALLOWANCES>                                       631
<INVENTORY>                                    275,551
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               153,856
<PP&E>                                       3,577,055
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,627,678
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              16,956,743
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          474,160
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    55,911,706
<OTHER-SE>                                     684,403
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                16,956,743
<SALES>                                         14,728
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                14,728
<CGS>                                          553,672
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  553,672
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             1,447,533
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             (1,751,103)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         (1,751,103)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                (1,751,103)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.09)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.09)