<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-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                         JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                                    16,886
<SECURITIES>                                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                             26,167
<ALLOWANCES>                                                 121
<INVENTORY>                                                    0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                          48,421
<PP&E>                                                   873,520
<DEPRECIATION>                                           461,548
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                           466,167
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                     48,681
<BONDS>                                                  265,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                          0
<PREFERRED>                                              135,000
<COMMON>                                                     465
<OTHER-SE>                                                10,816
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                             466,167
<SALES>                                                   53,909
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                          54,275
<CGS>                                                     38,020
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                             38,020
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                        10,608
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                             (849)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                   0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                         (849)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                                (849)
<EPS-BASIC>                                               (.08)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                               (.08)