<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
Notes: Vastar Resources, Inc: Financial Data Schedule as of the three months
ending March 31, 1998. This schedule contains summary financial information
extracted from the Consolidated Statement of Income and the Consolidate Balance
Sheet and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.

Rule 5-03-04 specifically does not address SG&A costs as a requirement in the 
FDS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                           8,400
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  171,300
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     11,200
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               225,900
<PP&E>                                       5,327,200
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,670,300
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,930,800
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          283,800
<BONDS>                                        715,700
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,000
<OTHER-SE>                                     545,400
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,930,800
<SALES>                                        217,400
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               243,400
<CGS>                                          118,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  186,200
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,600
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 32,600
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (15,400)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             48,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    48,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.49
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.49