<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CHEMI-TROL
CHEMICAL CO. YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         112,506
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               19,839,874
<ALLOWANCES>                                   380,000
<INVENTORY>                                 10,712,677
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            32,110,050
<PP&E>                                      21,161,344
<DEPRECIATION>                              10,509,619
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              47,423,367
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       20,958,862
<BONDS>                                     10,629,946
<COMMON>                                     4,590,767
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                  17,668,471
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                47,423,367
<SALES>                                     69,556,888
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            70,452,126
<CGS>                                       59,744,177
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               59,744,177
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               403,218
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,577,650
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              2,096,283
<INCOME-TAX>                                   838,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          1,258,283
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,258,283
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.63
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.63