<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Swift Energy
Income Partners 1988-A, Ltd's balance sheet and statement of operations
contained in its form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                         1,952
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  161,360
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                    0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               163,312
<PP&E>                                         10,185,956
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (8,325,411)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 2,027,708
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          275,280
<BONDS>                                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                     1,716,406
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   2,027,708
<SALES>                                        612,440
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               617,927
<CGS>                                          0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  444,439<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                90,923
<INCOME-TAX>                                   0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            90,923
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   90,923
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0
<FN>
<F1>Includes lease operating expenses, production taxes and depreciation deple-
tion and amortization expense. Excludes general and administrative and interest
expense.
</FN>