<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>                   3-MOS                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                       1,713,115               4,395,369
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  611,610                 597,991
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             4,825,910               7,449,481
<PP&E>                                               0                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                              32,760,553              30,451,675
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              60,597,964              62,729,930
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        8,306,995               8,300,767
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                       11,008,702              10,589,588
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                         1,000                   1,000
<OTHER-SE>                                (26,807,893)            (24,174,967)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                60,579,964              62,729,930
<SALES>                                      4,207,558              14,235,272
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             4,375,743              14,708,857
<CGS>                                        1,061,241               3,408,208
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                6,589,554              32,538,454
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,448,324               7,723,717
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (2,213,811)            (17,829,597)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (2,213,811)            (17,829,597)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                               (2,213,811)            (17,829,597)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (29.14)                (140.52)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (29.14)                (140.52)