<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
Notes: Vastar Resources, Inc: Financial Data Schedule for the six months ending
June 30, 1998. This schedule contains summary financial information extracted
from the Consolidated Statement of Income and the Consolidated Balance Sheet and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                           4,600
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  192,100
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     10,500
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               238,200
<PP&E>                                       5,477,600
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,747,400
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,023,200
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          285,600
<BONDS>                                        770,900
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,000
<OTHER-SE>                                     571,900
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,023,200
<SALES>                                        436,600
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               472,100
<CGS>                                          243,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  375,400
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              26,300
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 44,200
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (36,600)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             80,800
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    80,800
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.83
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.83