<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-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                  SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                                             14,200
<SECURITIES>                                                            0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                      85,800
<ALLOWANCES>                                                            0
<INVENTORY>                                                           000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                  111,200
<PP&E>                                                          3,201,700
<DEPRECIATION>                                                  2,000,400
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                  1,352,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                             105,400
<BONDS>                                                           483,300
<COMMON>                                                            5,200
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                   0
<PREFERRED>                                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                                        513,100
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                    1,352,000
<SALES>                                                           441,100
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                  441,100
<CGS>                                                                   0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                     346,100
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                   21,600
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                        0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                 22,500
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                    50,900
<INCOME-TAX>                                                       17,300
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                33,600
<DISCONTINUED>                                                          0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                         0
<CHANGES>                                                               0
<NET-INCOME>                                                       33,600
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                        0.97
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                        0.97