<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the McMoRan
Exploration Co.'s financial statements at March 31, 1999 and the three months
then ended, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such statements.
Ths earnings per share (EPS) data shown was prepared in accordance with SFAS
128, "Earning Per Share" with basic and diluted EPS replacing the captions
primary and fully diluted.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000064279
<NAME> MCMORAN EXPLORATION CO.
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                          24,448
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   23,844
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     17,868
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                78,175
<PP&E>                                         200,104
<DEPRECIATION>                                  20,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 318,822
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           51,865
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           141
<OTHER-SE>                                     180,244
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   318,822
<SALES>                                         62,111
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                62,111
<CGS>                                           57,434
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   57,434
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,550
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  58
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,033
<INCOME-TAX>                                       719
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,314
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,314
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.09