<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR PRIME SUCCESSION, INC., FOR THE YEARS
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995             DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                             766                   2,986
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,335                  14,121
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,926                   2,834
<INVENTORY>                                      3,564                   4,067
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                18,038                  24,615
<PP&E>                                          64,235                  69,129
<DEPRECIATION>                                   6,160                     741
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 196,118                 398,788
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          124,458                  22,531
<BONDS>                                         27,168                 207,321
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                      2,309                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                      31,903                 129,554
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   196,118                 398,788
<SALES>                                         81,515                  88,767
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                81,515                  88,767
<CGS>                                           10,240                  60,390
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   53,320                  60,390
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                28,549                  22,035
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   974                     493
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,401                  18,599
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (355)                (12,256)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       309                     169
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (663)                (12,425)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (663)                (12,425)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0
<FN>
Above amounts combine Successor Company and Predecessor Company financial
information for the year ended December 31, 1996 and were obtained from the
audited financial statements for the period from 1/1/96 to 8/25/96, and for the
period from 8/26/96 to 12/31/96.
</FN>
        


</TABLE>