<ARTICLE>                      5
<LEGEND>                       THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL
                               INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE MESA INC. AND
                               SUBSIDIARIES SEPTEMBER 30, 1995, FINANCIAL 
                               STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY 
                               BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<MULTIPLIER>                   1,000
       
                            
<PERIOD-TYPE>                  9-MOS       
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>              DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-END>                   SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                           143,773
<SECURITIES>                      17,061
<RECEIVABLES>                     40,530
<ALLOWANCES>                       3,429
<INVENTORY>                        3,899
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                 204,569
<PP&E>                         1,930,853
<DEPRECIATION>                   836,639
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                 1,444,045
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>            168,034
<BONDS>                        1,135,284
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                  0
<PREFERRED>                            0
<COMMON>                             640
<OTHER-SE>                        69,612
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>   1,444,045
<SALES>                          170,388
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                 170,388
<CGS>                                  0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                    137,115
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                  87,593
<LOSS-PROVISION>                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>               110,701
<INCOME-PRETAX>                  (54,320)
<INCOME-TAX>                           0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>              (54,320)
<DISCONTINUED>                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                        0
<CHANGES>                              0
<NET-INCOME>                     (54,320)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                       (.85)
<EPS-DILUTED>                       (.85)