<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM LAIDLAW
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.'S FEBRUARY 28, 1998 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1998
<CASH>                                          11,766
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  193,051
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,778
<INVENTORY>                                      7,857
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               236,903
<PP&E>                                       1,452,352
<DEPRECIATION>                                 308,747
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,528,662
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          162,992
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       182,287
<OTHER-SE>                                     167,441
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,528,662
<SALES>                                        384,767
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               384,767
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  333,160
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              29,489
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,361
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,555
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,700
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,700
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     .075
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     .069