<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000822818
<NAME> CLEAN HARBORS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           3,935
<SECURITIES>                                     1,088
<RECEIVABLES>                                   38,886
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,050)
<INVENTORY>                                      2,811
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                50,438
<PP&E>                                         128,299
<DEPRECIATION>                                  66,392
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 154,945
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           38,679
<BONDS>                                         68,020
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          1
<COMMON>                                           101
<OTHER-SE>                                      39,922
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   154,945
<SALES>                                        183,767
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               183,767
<CGS>                                          140,542
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  140,542
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (800)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   683
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,182
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (8,883)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,845
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (13,728)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (13,728)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.42