<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>                             6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                 DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                      JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                                 15,900
<SECURITIES>                                                0
<RECEIVABLES>                                         116,100
<ALLOWANCES>                                                0
<INVENTORY>                                                 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                      144,600
<PP&E>                                              3,131,500
<DEPRECIATION>                                      1,964,200
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                      1,345,600
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                 141,300
<BONDS>                                               460,100
<COMMON>                                                5,200
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                 0
<OTHER-SE>                                            496,500
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                        1,345,600
<SALES>                                               305,600
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                      305,600
<CGS>                                                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                         237,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                       11,300
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                            0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                     14,400
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                        42,900
<INCOME-TAX>                                           15,500
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                    27,400
<DISCONTINUED>                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                           27,400
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                             .79
<EPS-DILUTED>                                             .79