<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the McMoRan
Exploration Co.'s financial statements at June 30,1999 and the six months then
ended, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such statements.
</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>                                          13,978
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,146
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     18,531
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                66,222
<PP&E>                                         202,700
<DEPRECIATION>                                  29,186
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 301,409
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           45,275
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           141
<OTHER-SE>                                     166,764
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   301,409
<SALES>                                        125,400
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               125,400
<CGS>                                          114,568
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  114,568
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,853
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 133
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,324
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,171
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,153
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,153
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.15