
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CLINTRIALS RESEARCH INC. FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          38,087
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   37,270
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,818
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                81,295
<PP&E>                                          42,356
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,265
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 156,953
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           28,949
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           179
<OTHER-SE>                                     125,223
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   156,953
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                93,454
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   55,336
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                29,292
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  56
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,795
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,988
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,807
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,807
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.43


</TABLE>
