<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated financial statements of XCL Ltd. and Subsidiaries for the quarter
ended March 31, 1999, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                             268
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   788
<PP&E>                                          93,932
<DEPRECIATION>                                     776
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 120,421
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           88,964
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      1,283
<COMMON>                                           233
<OTHER-SE>                                      24,482
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   120,421
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,063
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (346)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,270
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,987)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,987)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.20)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.20)