<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BLUE
DOLPHIN ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES' CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                       1,193,362
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  779,711
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     17,858
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,224,640
<PP&E>                                      24,762,648
<DEPRECIATION>                               4,343,659
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              23,713,461
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,710,578
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                       353,247
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                  1,456,048
<OTHER-SE>                                  16,331,163
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                23,713,461
<SALES>                                        127,634
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,067,357
<CGS>                                          218,647
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  897,933
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,205
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                189,405
<INCOME-TAX>                                    73,803
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            115,602
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   115,602
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     .001
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     .002