<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF APPLIED ANALYTICAL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 1,364
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 40,146
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 53,958
<PP&E> 42,347
<DEPRECIATION> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 110,924
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 42,203
<BONDS> 626
0
0
<COMMON> 18
<OTHER-SE> 67,347
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 110,924
<SALES> 76,581
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 76,581
<CGS> 40,675
<TOTAL-COSTS> 74,429
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 344
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,599
<INCOME-PRETAX> 897
<INCOME-TAX> (441)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,338
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 1,338
<EPS-BASIC> 0.08
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.08
</TABLE>