<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BURLINGTON
RESOURCES INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF JUNE 30, 1996 AND THE RELATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1996,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STAEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                              19
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      171
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                         30
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   238
<PP&E>                                            6400
<DEPRECIATION>                                    2586
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    4175
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              371
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             2
<OTHER-SE>                                        2221
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                      4175
<SALES>                                            551
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   551
<CGS>                                              392
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      392
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   (2)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  57
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    104
<INCOME-TAX>                                        18
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 86
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        86
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.68
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.68