<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONVEST
ENERGY CORPORATION 1996 FORM 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           4,011
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    9,163
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (657)
<INVENTORY>                                         97
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                14,784
<PP&E>                                         117,785
<DEPRECIATION>                                (63,061)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  72,212
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           17,342
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           104
<OTHER-SE>                                      43,034
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    72,212
<SALES>                                         47,139
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                49,745
<CGS>                                           14,780
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   40,453
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,065
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,227
<INCOME-TAX>                                       157
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,070
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,070
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.77
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.77