<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM TESORO
PETROLEUM CORPORATION'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE THREE MONTH
PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000
       
                                                      
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                                           6,800
<SECURITIES>                                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                  165,900
<ALLOWANCES>                                                     1,700
<INVENTORY>                                                    214,700
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                               397,500
<PP&E>                                                       1,376,600
<DEPRECIATION>                                                 461,600
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                               1,445,500
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                          260,400
<BONDS>                                                        495,400
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                0
<PREFERRED>                                                    165,000
<COMMON>                                                         5,400
<OTHER-SE>                                                     386,100
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                 1,445,500
<SALES>                                                        508,500
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                               508,600
<CGS>                                                          470,100
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                  470,100
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                17,400
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                              12,700
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                  1,300
<INCOME-TAX>                                                     1,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                300
<DISCONTINUED>                                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                      0
<CHANGES>                                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                                       300
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                    (0.08)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                    (0.08)
<FN>