<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS 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-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                                  SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                                             12,300
<SECURITIES>                                                            0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                      86,200
<ALLOWANCES>                                                            0
<INVENTORY>                                                           400
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                  106,900
<PP&E>                                                          3,062,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                                  1,886,400
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                  1,318,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                             138,400
<BONDS>                                                           505,400
<COMMON>                                                            5,100
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                   0
<PREFERRED>                                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                                        438,500
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                    1,318,000
<SALES>                                                           683,700
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                  692,800
<CGS>                                                                   0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                     560,200
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                   29,400
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                        0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                 26,400
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                    76,800
<INCOME-TAX>                                                       25,300
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                51,500
<DISCONTINUED>                                                          0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                         0
<CHANGES>                                                               0
<NET-INCOME>                                                       51,500
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                        1.51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                        1.51