<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 3RD QUARTER
10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           4,606
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,227
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (816)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                13,582
<PP&E>                                         116,501
<DEPRECIATION>                                  60,048
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  72,994
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           18,324
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           104
<OTHER-SE>                                      37,511
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    72,994
<SALES>                                         33,634
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                34,495
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   12,063
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                18,710<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 896
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,826
<INCOME-TAX>                                       228
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,598
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,598
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.25
<FN>
<F1> "Other Expenses" Includes $12.3 million of depreciation depletion and
amortization and $1.1 million of impairment of oil and gas properties .

</FN>