<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
U.S. ENERGY CORP. FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 1997 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000101594
<NAME> U.S. ENERGY CORP.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1997
<CASH>                                       2,757,500
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  833,200
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    167,600
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             5,713,200
<PP&E>                                      27,017,200
<DEPRECIATION>                             (9,475,000)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              37,828,700
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        5,292,200
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        66,100
<OTHER-SE>                                  13,886,200
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                37,828,700
<SALES>                                      2,593,900
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,269,200
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                3,489,700
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             1,633,100
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              91,600
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (1,945,200)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (1,945,200)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (1,945,200)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0