<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORMAN
PETROLEUM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                       4,395,369                 130,551
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  597,991                 500,602
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             7,449,481               3,207,276
<PP&E>                                      78,680,132              49,785,341
<DEPRECIATION>                              30,451,675              12,433,801
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              62,729,930              42,376,665
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        8,300,767               8,387,746
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                       10,589,588                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                         1,000                   1,000
<OTHER-SE>                                (24,174,967)             (5,033,558)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                62,729,930              42,376,665
<SALES>                                     14,235,272              10,891,640
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            14,708,857              11,118,103
<CGS>                                        3,408,208               3,111,198
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               32,538,454              12,892,652
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           7,723,717               3,982,797
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (17,829,597)             (1,774,549)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (17,829,597)             (1,774,549)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                              (17,829,597)             (1,774,549)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                 (140.52)                 (12.42)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                 (140.52)                 (12.42)