<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>                                        3-MOS     
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                    DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                         MAR-31-1998 
<CASH>                                                     5,337
<SECURITIES>                                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                             28,434
<ALLOWANCES>                                                 121
<INVENTORY>                                                    0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                          41,382
<PP&E>                                                   849,756
<DEPRECIATION>                                           448,808
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                           448,203
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                     47,972
<BONDS>                                                  250,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                          0
<PREFERRED>                                              135,000
<COMMON>                                                     463   
<OTHER-SE>                                                 8,563
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                             448,203
<SALES>                                                   23,104
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                          23,306
<CGS>                                                     18,785 
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                             18,785 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                               0 
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                         5,055
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                          (3,639)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                   0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                      (3,639)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                             (3,639)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                             (0.11)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                             (0.11)