<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>                                         2,043,567
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  20,319,258
<ALLOWANCES>                                   884,790
<INVENTORY>                                    0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               22,247,705
<PP&E>                                         3,229,272
<DEPRECIATION>                                 344,570
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 33,563,812
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          19,606,047
<BONDS>                                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       60,717
<OTHER-SE>                                     6,564,969
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   33,563,812
<SALES>                                        75,395,711
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               75,395,711
<CGS>                                          59,745,299
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  59,745,299
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             1,304,368
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (2,060,513)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   1,122,272
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (3,182,785)
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                145,904
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (3,036,881)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (0.55)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (0.55)