<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     (Replace this text with the legend)
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000862023
<NAME>                        ENEX 88-89 INCOME & RETIREMENT FUND-SERIES 7, L.P.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              dec-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                 jan-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   mar-31-1996
<CASH>                                         9537
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  8052
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                    0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               17589
<PP&E>                                         1341371
<DEPRECIATION>                                 945086
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 413874
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          9387
<BONDS>                                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                     385847
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   413874
<SALES>                                        31405
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               31405
<CGS>                                          2392
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  18818
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               4417
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                0
<INCOME-TAX>                                   0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            0
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   8170
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0