<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE SHEET AS
OF DECEMBER 31,1997 AND THE INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000086772
<NAME> SANTA FE ENERGY RESOURCES, INC
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           5,600
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   73,600
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,700
<INVENTORY>                                     14,500
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               112,800
<PP&E>                                       1,699,200
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,049,500
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 788,900
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          134,000
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,000
<OTHER-SE>                                     453,700
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   788,900
<SALES>                                        514,300
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               514,700
<CGS>                                          403,900
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  403,900
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,100
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 95,600
<INCOME-TAX>                                    36,200
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             54,700
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    54,700
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.43