<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BURLINGTON
RESOURCES INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND THE
RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                             429
<SECURITIES>                                        51
<RECEIVABLES>                                      224
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                         19
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   746
<PP&E>                                            5819
<DEPRECIATION>                                    2220
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    4433
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              325
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             2
<OTHER-SE>                                        2480
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                      4433
<SALES>                                            987
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   987
<CGS>                                              652
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      652
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (58)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  84
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    309
<INCOME-TAX>                                        60
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                249
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       249
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.99
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.99