
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF CLINTRIALS RESEARCH, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          27,067
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   40,908
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                74,914
<PP&E>                                          46,310
<DEPRECIATION>                                  10,785
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 151,173
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           24,684
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           182
<OTHER-SE>                                     123,599
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   151,173
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                54,598
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   35,301
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                20,946
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  16
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (1,022)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (290)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (732)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (732)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.04)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.04)
        

</TABLE>
