<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> (Replace this text with the legend) </LEGEND> <CIK> 0000837894 <NAME> Enex Oil & Gas Income Program III-Series 8,L.P. <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-mos <FISCAL-YEAR-END> dec-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> jan-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> jun-30-1996 <CASH> 9765 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 41646 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 68740 <PP&E> 2543620 <DEPRECIATION> 2356829 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 255531 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 62087 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 124045 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 255531 <SALES> 150737 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 150737 <CGS> 88373 <TOTAL-COSTS> 411294 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 19011 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 0 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (265936) <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0