<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM ARC SECURITY, INC.
AUGUST 31, 1997 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1997
<CASH>                                          32,502
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                3,892,465
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               393,258
<PP&E>                                       3,764,010
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,764,192
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,609,507
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        4,618,033
<BONDS>                                      1,069,716
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           474
<OTHER-SE>                                      40,237
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 6,609,507
<SALES>                                     29,897,798
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            29,897,798
<CGS>                                       26,444,652
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               29,430,118
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                14,429
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             404,541
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 77,568
<INCOME-TAX>                                    40,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    37,568
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   375.68
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0