<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ANNUAL REPORT TO
SHAREHOLDERS DATED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000764842
<NAME> UNITED GOLD & GOVERNMENT FUND, INC.
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       29,070,997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      31,332,849
<RECEIVABLES>                                  123,446
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   9,757
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                             4,094
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              31,470,146
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      143,303
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            143,303
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                              3,455,618
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    38,110,332
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        3,455,618
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                        4,553
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                   (12,505,512)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     2,261,852
<NET-ASSETS>                                31,326,843
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              116,072
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              726,731
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (619,986)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        222,817
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                     1,319,497
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    (114,099)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        1,428,215
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (211,614)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                      1,382,220
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                (1,691,736)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             22,840
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                     (1,405,785)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                            420
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
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<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                619,986
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<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             8.75
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .06
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .32
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.06)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               9.07
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.84
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</TABLE>