EXHIBIT 23.2


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We consent to the  incorporation by reference in the  registration  statement on
Form S-8 of our report  dated March 3, 1997,  except for the effects of adopting
Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per Share," as
discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated  financial  statements,  as to which the
date is March 19, 1998, on our audits of the consolidated  financial  statements
of St. Mary Land and  Exploration  Company as of  December  31, 1996 and for the
years December 31, 1996 and 1995, which report is included in the Company's Form
10-K for the year ended December 31,1997.



/s/ COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.

Denver, Colorado
June 30, 1998



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