<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 1996 and the related
Condensed Statement of Consolidated Income for the nine months ended September
30, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          64,709
<SECURITIES>                                   164,457
<RECEIVABLES>                                   43,750
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     85,503
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               385,887
<PP&E>                                       1,960,253
<DEPRECIATION>                                 941,446
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,498,211
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          106,160
<BONDS>                                        185,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       146,672
<OTHER-SE>                                     617,255
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,498,211
<SALES>                                        564,696
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               587,983
<CGS>                                          445,043<F1>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  472,847<F2>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                30,831<F3>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,974
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 76,331
<INCOME-TAX>                                    37,709
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             27,856
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    27,856
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>Includes Production costs and Depreciation, depletion and amortization from
Condensed Statement of Consolidated Income.
<F2>Includes Production costs and Depreciation, depletion and amortization and
Administrative and general expense from Condensed Statement of Consolidated
Income.
<F3>Includes Exploration expense and Other expense from Condensed Statement of
Consolidated Income.
</FN>