<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM  TESORO
PETROLEUM CORPORATION'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD
ENDED  SEPTEMBER 30, 1995, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                          59,370
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   71,201
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,075
<INVENTORY>                                     61,876
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               201,438
<PP&E>                                         463,995
<DEPRECIATION>                                 207,650
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 533,699
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           96,360
<BONDS>                                        187,869
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         4,091
<OTHER-SE>                                     203,769
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   533,699
<SALES>                                        744,962
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               778,366
<CGS>                                          660,349
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  660,349
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                32,763
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,132
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 49,795
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,797
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             45,998
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    45,998
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.83
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.83