<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
CHEMI-TROL CHEMICAL CO. FIRST QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                          61,764
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               18,315,053
<ALLOWANCES>                                   310,000
<INVENTORY>                                 14,184,154
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            34,959,433
<PP&E>                                      20,878,452
<DEPRECIATION>                               9,773,248
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              52,228,859
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       21,028,289
<BONDS>                                     13,585,109
<COMMON>                                     4,590,767
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                  17,004,567
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                21,595,334
<SALES>                                     11,861,481
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            12,162,500
<CGS>                                       10,463,116
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               10,463,116
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             354,896
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (211,394)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (84,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (127,394)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (127,394)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.06)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.06)