<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MESA
OFFSHORE TRUST FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED 09/30/00 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                      DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                           SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                           0
<SECURITIES>                             2,360,012
<RECEIVABLES>                               56,502
<ALLOWANCES>                                     0
<INVENTORY>                                      0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                         2,416,514
<PP&E>                                 380,905,000
<DEPRECIATION>                         380,888,774
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           2,432,740
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      416,514
<BONDS>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            0
<PREFERRED>                                      0
<COMMON>                                         0
<OTHER-SE>                               2,016,226
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             2,432,740
<SALES>                                  2,399,353
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         2,519,722
<CGS>                                            0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           373,428
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                          2,146,294
<INCOME-TAX>                                     0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              0
<DISCONTINUED>                                   0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  0
<CHANGES>                                        0
<NET-INCOME>                             2,146,294
<EPS-BASIC>                                    .02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  .02