<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Swift Energy
Income Partners 1987-A Ltd.'s balance sheet and statement of operations
contained in its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                         2,008
<SECURITIES>                                    0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  117,522
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                    0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               136,311
<PP&E>                                         13,742,018
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (12,055,768)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1,822,935
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          68,446
<BONDS>                                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                     1,662,580
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   1,822,935
<SALES>                                        304,463
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               309,742
<CGS>                                          0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  238,109
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (36,465)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (36,465)
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (36,465)
<EPS-BASIC>                                    0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0

<FN>
<F1>Includes lease operating expenses, production taxes and depreciation and
amortization expense.  Excludes general and administrative and interest expense.
</FN>