<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Petroleum
Helicopters, Inc.'s condensed consolidated financial statements for the nine
months ended September 30, 2000 and the nine months ended September 30, 1999 and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.

<MULTIPLIER> 1000

                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000             SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                             122                       0
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   42,391                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                     41,250                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                88,183                       0
<PP&E>                                         124,864                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 215,989                       0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           41,770                       0
<BONDS>                                         57,123                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           516                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                      90,618                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   215,989                       0
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               168,658                 166,830
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  157,743                 156,244
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,312                   4,306
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (3,687)                 (6,290)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (922)                 (2,520)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,765)                 (3,770)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,765)                 (3,770)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.54)                  (0.73)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.54)                  (0.73)