<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS (LOSS)
OF THE LOUISIANA LAND AND EXPLORATION COMPANY 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>                                                              7,600
<SECURITIES>                                                            0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                     118,200
<ALLOWANCES>                                                            0
<INVENTORY>                                                        20,700
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                  155,000
<PP&E>                                                          3,136,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                                  1,913,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                  1,431,700
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                             154,200
<BONDS>                                                           711,700
<COMMON>                                                            5,700
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                   0
<PREFERRED>                                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                                        358,100
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                    1,431,700
<SALES>                                                           614,400
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                  618,200
<CGS>                                                                   0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                     541,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                   30,300
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                        0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                 28,900
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                    18,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                                        6,300
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                11,700
<DISCONTINUED>                                                          0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                         0
<CHANGES>                                                               0
<NET-INCOME>                                                       11,700
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                         .35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                         .35