<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MESA
OFFSHORE TRUST FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED 03/31/00 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                       3,237,379
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   33,316
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                     380,905,000
<DEPRECIATION>                            (380,881,354)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,294,341
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,270,695
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,023,646
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,294,341
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,347,739
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                77,044
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,270,695
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,270,695
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .01
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .01