<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BLUE DOLPHIN
ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                         753,264
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,755,147
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     26,080
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,640,163
<PP&E>                                      23,283,381
<DEPRECIATION>                               4,686,619
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              24,242,594
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,203,929
<BONDS>                                      2,060,600
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       668,358
<OTHER-SE>                                  19,242,594
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                24,242,594
<SALES>                                        226,584
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,367,517
<CGS>                                          486,567
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,816,179
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             110,930
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                488,726
<INCOME-TAX>                                   185,748
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            302,978
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   302,978
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     .004
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     .004