<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MESA ROYALTY
TRUST 1997 FIRST QUARTER REPORT AND FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 1997 FIRST QUARTER REPORT AND FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
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<RECEIVABLES>                                   40,775
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<PP&E>                                      42,498,034
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