<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This restated financial data schedule is extracted from McMoRan's financial
statements at June 30, 1999 and for the six months then ended, and is qualified
in its entirety to such statements.  These unaudited statements have been
restated to reflect McMoRan's decision to discontinue its sulphur operations.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000064279
<NAME> MCMORAN EXPLORATION CO.
<MULTIPLIER> 1000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                          10,018
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    5,679
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        528
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                40,007
<PP&E>                                          98,001
<DEPRECIATION>                                  27,236
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 275,193
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           19,060
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           141
<OTHER-SE>                                     189,359
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   275,193
<SALES>                                         24,926
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                24,926
<CGS>                                           24,073
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   24,073
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,853
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 133
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (3,253)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,139
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,114)
<DISCONTINUED>                                   4,267
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,153
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.15