<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM MESA ROYALTY TRUST AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                 2,071,790
<RECEIVABLES>                                   32,350
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                      42,498,034
<DEPRECIATION>                              26,985,308
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              17,616,866
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,104,140
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                  15,512,726
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                17,616,866
<SALES>                                      9,287,406
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             9,397,354
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              9,358,576
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          9,358,576
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 9,358,576
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     5.02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     5.02