<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          60,289
<SECURITIES>                                    59,986
<RECEIVABLES>                                   95,810
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               223,409
<PP&E>                                          95,318
<DEPRECIATION>                                  25,948
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 400,117
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           62,920
<BONDS>                                        140,011
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           218
<OTHER-SE>                                     174,174
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   400,117
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               186,242
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  166,431
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,533
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 21,377
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,735
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             14,642
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    14,642
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .66
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0