<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF CLINTRIALS RESEARCH INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                          19,735
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   36,001
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                68,266
<PP&E>                                          49,108
<DEPRECIATION>                                  14,366
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 143,619
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           25,863
<BONDS>                                            382
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           182
<OTHER-SE>                                     113,961
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   143,619
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                23,648
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   16,527
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                11,082
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   6
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (3,633)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (1,393)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (2,240)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (2,240)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.12)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.12)