<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0001123453
<NAME> THE O'GARA COMPANY
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997
<CASH> 0
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 0
<PP&E> 0
<DEPRECIATION> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 0
<SALES> 100,738,987
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 100,738,987
<CGS> 72,383,397
<TOTAL-COSTS> 89,051,760
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 2,932,674
<LOSS-PROVISION> 582,377
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,967,936
<INCOME-PRETAX> 5,381,928
<INCOME-TAX> 2,821,709
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,560,219
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> (193,875)
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 2,366,344
<EPS-BASIC> 0.39
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.39
</TABLE>