<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BLUE
DOLPHIN ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AND INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         724,770
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  710,272
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     29,120
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,563,875
<PP&E>                                      25,271,519
<DEPRECIATION>                               4,621,717
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              23,832,948
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          641,442
<BONDS>                                      2,060,600
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       668,191
<OTHER-SE>                                  19,052,980
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                23,832,948
<SALES>                                        142,595
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,158,820
<CGS>                                          279,369
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  942,229
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              56,433
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                187,498
<INCOME-TAX>                                    73,154
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            114,344
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   114,344
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     .002
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     .002