<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, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000
       
                                      
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           7,379
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   85,319
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,420
<INVENTORY>                                     74,902
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               175,632
<PP&E>                                         667,918
<DEPRECIATION>                                 291,113
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 587,814
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           99,769
<BONDS>                                         90,104
<COMMON>                                         4,416
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     323,187
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   587,814
<SALES>                                        695,021
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               699,630
<CGS>                                          611,168
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  611,168
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                34,643
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,634
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 38,040
<INCOME-TAX>                                    14,292
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             23,748
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    23,748
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .88
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .88