<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000916230 <NAME> PROTECTION ONE, INC. <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1996 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1996 <CASH> 8,347 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 15,580 <ALLOWANCES> 4,434 <INVENTORY> 2,832 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 24,128 <PP&E> 14,586 <DEPRECIATION> 3,830 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 274,429 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 35,168 <BONDS> 126,008 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 127 <OTHER-SE> 30,782 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 274,429 <SALES> 51,796 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 51,795 <CGS> 17,336 <TOTAL-COSTS> 17,336 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 19 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,518 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 16,211 <INCOME-PRETAX> (11,257) <INCOME-TAX> 90 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (11,347) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (11,347) <EPS-PRIMARY> (1.06) <EPS-DILUTED> (1.06)