<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ENVIROTEST SYSTEMS
CORP. FORM 10-Q FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          16,536
<SECURITIES>                                    51,643
<RECEIVABLES>                                   10,400
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,197
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                83,886
<PP&E>                                         232,278
<DEPRECIATION>                                  67,503
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 379,505
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           47,371
<BONDS>                                        359,324
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           165
<OTHER-SE>                                    (18,037)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   379,505
<SALES>                                         36,937
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                36,937
<CGS>                                           23,956
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   23,956
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,737
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,811
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    627
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                627
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       627
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.05