<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> (Replace this text with the legend) </LEGEND> <CIK> 0000825247 <NAME> Enex Oil & Gas Income Program III - Series 5, L.P. <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-mos <FISCAL-YEAR-END> dec-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> jan-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> mar-31-1997 <CASH> 17668 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 41168 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 61567 <PP&E> 3494967 <DEPRECIATION> 3288049 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 268485 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 118893 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 149592 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 268485 <SALES> 102695 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 102695 <CGS> 56795 <TOTAL-COSTS> 66653 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 8544 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 0 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 27498 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0