<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>                                          9-MOS     
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                      DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                           SEP-30-1998 
<CASH>                                                 3,714
<SECURITIES>                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                          25,106
<ALLOWANCES>                                           121
<INVENTORY>                                            0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                       33,713
<PP&E>                                                 800,715
<DEPRECIATION>                                         369,670
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                         466,893
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                  64,613
<BONDS>                                                0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                            135,000
<COMMON>                                               461
<OTHER-SE>                                             60,689
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                           466,893
<SALES>                                                46,349
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                       46,876
<CGS>                                                  234,281
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                          234,281
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                     8,725
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                        (203,497)
<INCOME-TAX>                                           (22,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                    (181,497)
<DISCONTINUED>                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                        0
<CHANGES>                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                           (181,497)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                          (4.85)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          (4.85)