<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule  contains summary financial  information  extracted from Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 1996 for Hallwood Energy Partners,  L.P. and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such Form 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000768172
<NAME>                        Hallwood Energy Partners, L.P.
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              Dec-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   Sep-30-1996
<CASH>                                         7,499
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  11,016
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                    0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               19,812
<PP&E>                                         608,834
<DEPRECIATION>                                 520,920
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 121,093
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          20,337
<BONDS>                                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                     62,016
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   121,093
<SALES>                                        35,922
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               38,292
<CGS>                                          0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  22,617
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               1,095
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             3,047
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                11,533
<INCOME-TAX>                                   0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            11,533
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   11,533
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  .99
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  .99