<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000353153
<NAME> CAIRN ENERGY USA, INC
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                           1,787
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    5,537
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 7,883
<PP&E>                                         172,161
<DEPRECIATION>                                  63,149
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 117,376
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            7,449
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           176
<OTHER-SE>                                      86,251
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   117,376
<SALES>                                          7,253
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 7,287
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 4,254
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    443
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                   2,590
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,590
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .15