<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE MERIDIAN RESOURCE CORPORATION AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>     1,000     
       
                                                           
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                6-MOS     
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                      DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                           JUN-30-1998 
<CASH>                                                  5,897
<SECURITIES>                                            0          
<RECEIVABLES>                                           15,801
<ALLOWANCES>                                            121            
<INVENTORY>                                             0            
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                        27,237
<PP&E>                                                  775,672
<DEPRECIATION>                                          307,384
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                          497,636
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                   54,255
<BONDS>                                                 0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                   0   
<PREFERRED>                                             135,000
<COMMON>                                                461
<OTHER-SE>                                              102,047
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                            497,636
<SALES>                                                 23,274
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                        23,639
<CGS>                                                   165,370
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                           165,370
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                        0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                        0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                      5,023
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                         (151,326)
<INCOME-TAX>                                            (10,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                     (141,326)
<DISCONTINUED>                                          0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                         0
<CHANGES>                                               0  
<NET-INCOME>                                            (141,326)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                           (4.20)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                           (4.20)