<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                       1,593,330
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                8,864,240
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            10,673,188
<PP&E>                                     109,501,515
<DEPRECIATION>                              28,876,525
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              94,626,542
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       10,733,818
<BONDS>                                     52,400,131<F1>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        300
<COMMON>                                     1,511,084
<OTHER-SE>                                  28,281,209
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                94,626,542
<SALES>                                     28,351,161
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            31,622,174
<CGS>                                        9,150,742<F2>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                9,150,742
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            12,067,920<F3>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          10,066,602
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                336,910
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            336,910
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                            (2,134,764)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (2,258,696)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.20)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.20)
<FN>
<F1>14 7/8% SENIOR SECURED NOTES DUE 2002.
<F2>OIL & GAS PRODUCTION COSTS & GAS PLANT COSTS
<F3>EXPLORATION, DD&A, G&A AND OTHER
</FN>