<ARTICLE>                  5
<LEGEND>
This schedule  contains  summary  financial data extracted from the Consolidated
Financial  Statements of Comstock Resources,  Inc. and Subsidiaries for the year
ended  December  31, 1997 and is  qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                    1,000
       
                                       
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                         14,504
<SECURITIES>                                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  31,241
<ALLOWANCES>                                        0
<INVENTORY>                                         0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               45,917
<PP&E>                                        488,458
<DEPRECIATION>                               (77,677)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                456,800
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          56,184
<BONDS>                                       260,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                       12,104
<OTHER-SE>                                    112,490
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  456,800
<SALES>                                        88,555
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               89,344
<CGS>                                               0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  46,964
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                2,668
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              5,934
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                33,778
<INCOME-TAX>                                   11,622
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            22,156
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                   22,156
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.90
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.85