<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>                                         3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                  MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                                             14,900
<SECURITIES>                                                            0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                     109,700
<ALLOWANCES>                                                            0
<INVENTORY>                                                             0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                  136,500
<PP&E>                                                          3,113,700
<DEPRECIATION>                                                  1,969,800
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                  1,317,800
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                             158,000
<BONDS>                                                           427,900
<COMMON>                                                            5,100
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                   0
<PREFERRED>                                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                                        490,100
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                    1,317,800
<SALES>                                                           171,200
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                  171,200
<CGS>                                                                   0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                     127,400
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                    2,800
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                        0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                  7,900
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                    33,100
<INCOME-TAX>                                                       11,900
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                21,200
<DISCONTINUED>                                                          0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                         0
<CHANGES>                                                               0
<NET-INCOME>                                                       21,200
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                         .62
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                         .62