<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF CLINTRIALS RESEARCH, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          27,726
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   40,809
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                73,916
<PP&E>                                          44,129
<DEPRECIATION>                                   9,408
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 149,509
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           21,948
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           179
<OTHER-SE>                                     124,984
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   149,509
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                28,603
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   17,884
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                10,190
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  11
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    871
<INCOME-TAX>                                       123
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                748
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       748
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.04