<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE EXPLORATION COMPANY UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE CALENDAR QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH. </LEGEND> <CIK> 0000313395 <NAME> THE EXPLORATION COMPANY <MULTIPLIER> 1 <CURRENCY> US DOLLAR <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 <PERIOD-START> APR-01-2000 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 3285168 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 2157095 <ALLOWANCES> 27026 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 5533265 <PP&E> 20698926 <DEPRECIATION> 6107186 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 20481569 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 2654265 <BONDS> 71288 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 174219 <OTHER-SE> 17581797 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 20481569 <SALES> 2660600 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 2873673 <CGS> 1335243 <TOTAL-COSTS> 2188405 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (69634) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 19217 <INCOME-PRETAX> 735685 <INCOME-TAX> 60918 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 674767 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 674767 <EPS-BASIC> .04 <EPS-DILUTED> .04