<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE PROFIT RECOVERY GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC. FOR THE
NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          12,231
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   47,461
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                60,984
<PP&E>                                          12,895
<DEPRECIATION>                                   4,314
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  81,246
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           27,197
<BONDS>                                            707
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            18
<OTHER-SE>                                      51,061
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    81,246
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                76,445
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   39,553
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                25,709
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                (132)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,315
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,397
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,918
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,918
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .37
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .37