<ARTICLE>                            5

<LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
HAGLER BAILLY, INC. UNAUDITED  CONSOLIDATED  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE TWELVE
MONTHS ENDED  DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>



       

                                                              
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                        12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                  JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                    DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                            2,009,343
<SECURITIES>                                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    19,929,071
<ALLOWANCES>                                        884,790
<INVENTORY>                                               0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 21,752,546
<PP&E>                                            3,142,144
<DEPRECIATION>                                      302,176
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   33,011,426
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            19,396,390
<BONDS>                                                   0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                               0
<COMMON>                                             58,881
<OTHER-SE>                                        6,226,875
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     33,011,426
<SALES>                                          74,475,376
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 74,475,376
<CGS>                                            59,284,033
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    59,284,033
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                          0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                1,304,368
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (2,513,223)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        961,319
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (3,474,542)
<DISCONTINUED>                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     145,904
<CHANGES>                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (3,328,638)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         (0.61)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         (0.61)