<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                       1,122,782
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,138,318
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     16,860
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,379,111
<PP&E>                                      23,748,565
<DEPRECIATION>                               4,762,368
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              24,428,676
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,090,576
<BONDS>                                      2,060,600
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       669,275
<OTHER-SE>                                  19,611,409
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                24,428,676
<SALES>                                        312,408
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,809,106
<CGS>                                          707,620
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,664,582
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             165,731
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,055,394
<INCOME-TAX>                                   388,414
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            666,980
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   666,980
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .01
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .01