<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                       2,305,047
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  947,934
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     34,640
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             3,416,346
<PP&E>                                      23,485,801
<DEPRECIATION>                               4,420,362
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              24,939,416
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,194,396
<BONDS>                                         10,000
<COMMON>                                       520,003
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                  1,456,048
<OTHER-SE>                                  17,886,147
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                24,939,416
<SALES>                                        272,015
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,125,633
<CGS>                                          452,780
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,791,855
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,587
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                379,008
<INCOME-TAX>                                   147,673
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            231,335
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   231,335
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     .002
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     .004