<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>                   6-MOS                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998             JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                         606,308               4,395,369
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                2,407,247               3,005,306
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             3,070,346               7,449,481
<PP&E>                                      82,557,714              78,680,132
<DEPRECIATION>                              47,198,711              30,451,675
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              44,907,134              62,729,930
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        6,905,584               8,300,767
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                       11,443,124              10,589,588
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                         1,000                   1,000
<OTHER-SE>                                (41,583,322)            (24,174,967)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                44,907,134              62,729,930
<SALES>                                      8,686,134              14,235,272
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             8,909,986              14,708,857
<CGS>                                        2,109,211               3,408,208
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               25,464,804              32,538,454
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           5,019,158               7,723,717
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (16,554,818)            (17,829,597)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (16,554,818)            (17,829,597)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                              (16,554,818)            (17,829,597)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                 (193.20)                (140.52)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                 (193.20)                (140.52)