<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE HANOVER COMPRESSOR COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE
TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                           5,756
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   95,445
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,730
<INVENTORY>                                     66,562
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               192,532
<PP&E>                                         577,048
<DEPRECIATION>                                  79,583
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 756,510
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           84,566
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       273,002
<OTHER-SE>                                      94,912
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   756,510
<SALES>                                         80,568
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               317,028
<CGS>                                           64,496
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  244,378
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,786
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 63,586
<INCOME-TAX>                                    23,145
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             40,441
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    40,441
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.32