<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MESA ROYALTY
TRUST 1997 SECOND QUARTER REPORT AND FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 1997 SECOND QUARTER REPORT AND FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                 1,636,725
<RECEIVABLES>                                   15,915
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,652,640
<PP&E>                                      42,498,034
<DEPRECIATION>                              26,101,548
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              18,049,126
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,652,640
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                  16,396,486
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                18,049,126
<SALES>                                      5,511,830
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             5,568,521
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                18,578
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              5,549,943
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          5,549,943
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 5,549,943
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    2.978
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    2.978