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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549



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                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT


                PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
                              EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


                                December 15, 1998
                                December 30, 1998


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                         Commission File Number 0-20872

                       ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)




             Delaware                                   41-0518430
   (State or other Jurisdiction            (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 of incorporation or organization)



             1776 Lincoln Street, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)




                                 (303) 861-8140
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


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ITEM 2. ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.

         On  December  15,  1998,  St.  Mary  Land &  Exploration  Company  (the
"Company") closed the sale of a package of non-strategic producing properties to
Oneok  Resources  Company  for a purchase  price of $22.2  million.  The Company
received $22.1 million in cash proceeds,  net of transaction costs and customary
closing  adjustments made to reflect  post-effective date revenues and expenses.
The transaction was consummated  pursuant to a Purchase and Sale Agreement dated
November 12, 1998, effective as of September 1, 1998. The assets sold consist of
producing  oil and gas wells and  undeveloped  leasehold  acreage  within  eight
fields located in Beckham and Roger Mills Counties, Oklahoma.

         The  majority  of the  proceeds  from this  property  sale were used to
reduce the Company's  outstanding bank debt in anticipation of re-deploying this
capital in the Company's drilling, exploration and acquisition programs in 1999.
$6.8 million of the proceeds were deposited into an escrow account to be used to
purchase other producing properties in a tax-free exchange.


ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

    (b)  Pro forma financial information (unaudited).

         The following unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of income for
the nine  months  ended  September  30,  1998 and for the  twelve  months  ended
December 31, 1997, and the unaudited pro forma consolidated  balance sheet as of
September 30, 1998, adjust the historical  financial  information of the Company
for the sale of properties to Oneok Resources  Company.  The unaudited pro forma
consolidated  statements of income for the nine months ended  September 30, 1998
and for the twelve  months ended  December 31, 1997 were prepared as if the sale
transaction   was   consummated   on  January  1,  1998  and  January  1,  1997,
respectively. The unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet as of September
30, 1998 was prepared as if the sale was  consummated on September 30, 1998. The
pro forma  adjustments are based on estimates and  assumptions  explained in the
accompanying notes to the pro forma consolidated financial statements.

         The unaudited pro forma  consolidated  financial  statements  should be
read in conjunction with the related historical financial statements and related
notes,  which are included in the  Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1997, and in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the nine months ended September 30, 1998.

         The pro forma  information  presented is not necessarily  indicative of
the  results  that  would  have  actually  occurred  had  the  transaction  been
consummated on the dates or for the periods indicated, or which may occur in the
future.



                                       2




              ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                               SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
                      (In thousands, except share amounts)
                                                                                                    Pro Forma
                                                                                 Historical        Adjustments         Pro Forma
                                                                                ------------       ------------       ------------
                                     ASSETS

                                                                                                             
Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents                                                   $    3,109                            $    3,109
     Accounts receivable                                                             18,492                                18,492
     Prepaid expenses and other                                                       1,123                                 1,123
                                                                                ------------       ------------       ------------
          Total current assets                                                       22,724                                22,724
                                                                                ------------       ------------       ------------

Property and equipment (successful efforts method), at cost:
     Proved oil and gas properties                                                  275,911          $ (32,269) (A)       243,642
     Restricted cash                                                                      -              6,760  (A)         6,760
     Unproved oil and gas properties, net of impairment
          allowance of $5,168                                                        25,825               (526) (A)        25,299
     Other                                                                            3,735                                 3,735
                                                                                ------------       ------------       ------------
                                                                                    305,471            (26,035)           279,436
     Less accumulated depletion, depreciation, amortization and impairment         (138,540)            17,445  (A)      (121,095)
                                                                                ------------       ------------       ------------
                                                                                    166,931             (8,590)           158,341
                                                                                ------------       ------------       ------------
Other assets:
     Khanty Mansiysk Oil Corporation receivable and stock                             6,839                                 6,839
     Summo Minerals Corporation investment and receivable                             6,781                                 6,781
     Other assets                                                                     3,449               (388) (A)         3,061
                                                                                ------------       ------------       ------------
                                                                                     17,069               (388)            16,681
                                                                                ------------       ------------       ------------
                                                                                 $  206,724         $   (8,978)        $  197,746
                                                                                ============       ============       ============

                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
     Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                       $   17,371                            $   17,371
     Current portion of stock appreciation rights                                       358                                   358
                                                                                ------------       ------------       ------------
          Total current liabilities                                                  17,729                                17,729

Long-term liabilities:
     Long-term debt                                                                  32,615            (15,357) (A)        17,258
     Deferred income taxes                                                           14,496              2,424  (A)        16,920
     Stock appreciation rights                                                          696                                   696
     Other noncurrent liabilities                                                     1,093                                 1,093
                                                                                ------------       ------------       ------------
                                                                                     48,900            (12,933)            35,967
                                                                                ------------       ------------       ------------

Stockholders' equity:
     Common stock, $.01 par value: authorized - 50,000,000 shares;
          issued and outstanding - 10,992,447 shares                                    110                                   110
     Additional paid-in capital                                                      67,761                                67,761
     Treasury stock - 147,800, at cost                                               (2,469)                               (2,469)
     Retained earnings                                                               74,693              3,955  (A)        78,648
                                                                                ------------       ------------       ------------
          Total stockholders' equity                                                140,095              3,955            144,050
                                                                                ------------       ------------       ------------
                                                                                 $  206,724         $   (8,978)        $  197,746
                                                                                ============       ============       ============

The  accompanying  notes  are an  integral  part of these  unaudited  pro  forma
consolidated financial statements.





                                       3




              ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
              UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                  FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
                    (In thousands, except per share amounts)
                                                                                                    Pro Forma
                                                                                 Historical        Adjustments        Pro Forma
                                                                                ------------       ------------      ------------
                                                                                                            
Operating revenues:
     Oil and gas production                                                      $   55,903         $   (4,680) (B)   $   51,223
     Gain (loss) on sale of proved properties                                           (14)                                 (14)
     Other revenues                                                                     271                                  271
                                                                                ------------       ------------      ------------
          Total operating revenues                                                   56,160             (4,680)           51,480
                                                                                ------------       ------------      ------------

Operating expenses:
     Oil and gas production                                                          12,579               (710) (B)       11,869
     Depletion, depreciation and amortization                                        17,507             (2,080) (B)       15,427
     Impairment of proved properties                                                  8,217                                8,217
     Exploration                                                                      9,397                                9,397
     Abandonment and impairment of unproved properties                                3,077                                3,077
     General and administrative                                                       5,669                                5,669
     Writedown of Russian convertible receivable                                      4,553                                4,553
     Loss in equity investees                                                           612                                  612
     Other                                                                              105                                  105
                                                                                ------------       ------------      ------------
          Total operating expenses                                                   61,716             (2,790)           58,926

Income from operations                                                               (5,556)            (1,890)           (7,446)

Nonoperating income and (expense):
     Interest income                                                                    576                139  (C)          715
     Interest expense                                                                (1,129)               653  (C)         (476)
                                                                                ------------       ------------      ------------

Loss before income taxes                                                             (6,109)            (1,098)           (7,207)
Income tax benefit                                                                   (2,088)              (417) (D)       (2,505)
                                                                                ------------       ------------      ------------

Loss from continuing operations                                                      (4,021)              (681)           (4,702)
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes                                    34                                   34
                                                                                ------------       ------------      ------------
Net loss                                                                         $   (3,987)        $     (681)       $   (4,668)
                                                                                ============       ============      ============


Basic earnings per common share:
     Loss from continuing operations                                             $    (0.37)                          $    (0.43)
     Gain on sale of discontinued operations                                              -                                    -
                                                                                ------------                         ------------
Basic net loss per common share                                                  $    (0.37)                          $    (0.43)
                                                                                ============                         ============

Diluted earnings per common share:
     Loss from continuing operations                                             $    (0.37)                          $    (0.43)
     Gain on sale of discontinued operations                                              -                                    -
                                                                                ------------                         ------------
Diluted net loss per common share                                                $    (0.37)                          $    (0.43)
                                                                                ============                         ============

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding                                     10,968                               10,968
                                                                                ============                         ============
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding                                   10,968                               10,968
                                                                                ============                         ============

The  accompanying  notes  are an  integral  part of these  unaudited  pro  forma
consolidated financial statements.





                                       4




              ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
              UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                  FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
                    (In thousands, except per share amounts)
                                                                                                     Pro Forma
                                                                                 Historical         Adjustments         Pro Forma
                                                                                ------------       -------------      -------------
                                                                                                             
Operating revenues:
     Oil and gas production                                                      $   75,764         $    (9,002) (E)   $    66,762
     Gain on sale of Russian joint venture                                            9,671                                  9,671
     Gain (loss) on sale of proved properties                                         4,220                                  4,220
     Other revenues                                                                   1,391                                  1,391
                                                                                ------------       -------------      -------------
          Total operating revenues                                                   91,046              (9,002)            82,044
                                                                                ------------       -------------      -------------

Operating expenses:
     Oil and gas production                                                          15,258              (1,149) (E)        14,109
     Depletion, depreciation and amortization                                        18,366              (2,603) (E)        15,763
     Impairment of proved properties                                                  5,202                (146) (E)         5,056
     Exploration                                                                      6,847                                  6,847
     Abandonment and impairment of unproved properties                                2,077                                  2,077
     General and administrative                                                       7,645                                  7,645
     Loss in equity investees                                                           325                                    325
     Other                                                                              281                                    281
                                                                                ------------       -------------      -------------
          Total operating expenses                                                   56,001              (3,898)            52,103

Income from operations                                                               35,045              (5,104)            29,941

Nonoperating income and (expense):
     Interest income                                                                  1,043                 505  (F)         1,548
     Interest expense                                                                (1,142)                334  (F)          (808)
                                                                                ------------       -------------      -------------

Income before income taxes                                                           34,946              (4,265)            30,681
Income tax expense (benefit)                                                         12,325              (1,663) (G)        10,662
                                                                                ------------       -------------      -------------

Income from continuing operations                                                    22,621              (2,602)            20,019
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes                                   488                                    488
                                                                                ------------       -------------      -------------

Net income                                                                       $   23,109         $    (2,602)       $    20,507
                                                                                ============       =============      =============


Basic earnings per common share:
     Income from continuing operations                                           $     2.13                            $      1.89
     Gain on sale of discontinued operations                                           0.05                                   0.05
                                                                                ------------                          -------------
Basic net income per common share                                                $     2.18                            $      1.94
                                                                                ============                          =============

Diluted earnings per common share:
     Income from continuing operations                                           $     2.10                            $      1.86
     Gain on sale of discontinued operations                                           0.05                                   0.05
                                                                                ------------                          -------------
Diluted net income per common share                                              $     2.15                            $      1.91
                                                                                ============                          =============

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding                                     10,620                                 10,620
                                                                                ============                          =============
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding                                   10,753                                 10,753
                                                                                ============                          =============


The  accompanying  notes  are an  integral  part of these  unaudited  pro  forma
consolidated financial statements.





                                       5


EXHIBIT 10.56


              ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

         NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

         The pro forma consolidated financial statements reflect the adjustments
described below:

Consolidated balance sheet

         (A) To  reflect  the  sale  of the  producing  oil and  gas  wells  and
undeveloped  leasehold  acreage  properties  and  the  application  of the  cash
proceeds. $6.8 million of sale proceeds were deposited into an escrow account to
be used to purchase  producing oil and gas  properties  in a tax-free  exchange.
These proceeds are reflected as restricted cash in property and equipment in the
accompanying  unaudited pro forma  consolidated  balance sheet. The remainder of
the sale proceeds is reflected as a reduction of long-term  debt. A pre-tax gain
on the sale of $6.4 million is recognized,  as well as a $2.4 million  provision
for deferred income taxes.

Consolidated income statements

         The pro forma adjustments to the unaudited  consolidated  statements of
income for the nine months ended  September  30, 1998 and for the twelve  months
ended December 31, 1997 eliminate  revenues,  production  expenses,  accumulated
depletion, depreciation and amortization ("DD&A") and impairment associated with
the  properties  sold for the  respective  periods.  Pro  forma  adjustments  to
interest  expense and interest income reflect the estimated  effect of reduction
of the  Company's  long-term  debt and the  investment  of  residual  cash until
utilized.

         (B) Eliminates oil and gas revenues,  related  production  expenses and
DD&A  directly  attributable  to the  properties  sold for the nine months ended
September 30, 1998.

         (C) Adjusts  interest  expense for the nine months ended  September 30,
1998 to  reflect  elimination  of  long-term  debt  using a portion  of the sale
proceeds at the  beginning  of the period.  Adjusts  interest  income to reflect
estimated interest earned on residual cash, after elimination of long-term debt,
using an estimated US Treasury interest rate.

         (D) Reflects  adjustment of the provision for income taxes for the nine
months ended  September 30, 1998,  resulting  from the pro forma  adjustments to
loss before income taxes for such period.

         (E) Eliminates oil and gas revenues,  related production expenses, DD&A
and  impairment  directly  attributable  to the  properties  sold for the twelve
months ended December 31, 1997.

         (F) Adjusts  interest  expense for the twelve months ended December 31,
1997 to reflect  reduction of long-term  debt using all of the sale  proceeds at
the  beginning  of the  period.  Adjusts  interest  income to reflect  estimated
interest earned on residual cash,  after  reduction of long-term debt,  using an
estimated US Treasury interest rate.

         (G)  Reflects  adjustment  of the  provision  for income  taxes for the
twelve months ended December 31, 1997,  resulting from the pro forma adjustments
to income before income taxes for such period.



                                       6


    (c) Exhibits.

          Exhibit 10.53 - Purchase and Sale Agreement dated November 12, 1998
          between Oneok Resources Company (buyer) and Kent J. Harrell,  Ralph H.
          Smith,   Ronald  D.  Boone,   Ronald  E.  Hornig,   England  Resources
          Corporation and the Registrant (collectively, the sellers).






                                       7


                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities  and  Exchange Act of
1934,  the  Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



                       St. Mary Land & Exploration Company



December 30, 1998                    By  /s/  MARK A. HELLERSTEIN           
                                         -----------------------------------
                                         Mark A. Hellerstein
                                         President and Chief Executive Officer


December 30, 1998                    By  /s/  DAVID L. HENRY
                                         ---------------------------------
                                         David L. Henry
                                         Vice President - Finance and
                                         Chief Financial Officer