<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK>     0000885538
<NAME>    GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998             DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                             528                   1,717
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<PP&E>                                         233,058                 212,040
<DEPRECIATION>                                  84,258                  73,324
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 240,453                 245,555
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           47,421                  49,594
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<PREFERRED>                                          1                       0
<COMMON>                                            50                  60,000
<OTHER-SE>                                    (50,815)                  18,156
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   240,453                 245,555
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               200,244                 258,296
<CGS>                                                0                       0
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<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,362)                   8,136
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (449)                   2,667
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