<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000863835
<NAME> GEODYNE ENERGY INCOME LIMITED PARTNERSHIP III-B
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                         317,619
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  358,465
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               676,084
<PP&E>                                      12,739,453
<DEPRECIATION>                               9,464,864
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,119,762
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           36,585
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                   4,035,817
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,119,762
<SALES>                                      1,086,126
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,091,583
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  732,405
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                359,178
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            359,178
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   359,178
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0