<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE WISER
OIL COMPANY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           5,870
<SECURITIES>                                     7,176
<RECEIVABLES>                                   14,091
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,289
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                21,723
<PP&E>                                         311,690
<DEPRECIATION>                                 131,972
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 208,617
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           18,230
<BONDS>                                         78,654
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        27,347
<OTHER-SE>                                      71,915
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   208,617
<SALES>                                         72,012
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                86,689
<CGS>                                           25,432
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   70,737
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,452
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,500
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,072
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,428
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,428
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .72
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .72