<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
NOTES: VASTAR RESOURCES, INC.: FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE AS OF THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          17,500
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  214,900
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     10,600
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               262,100
<PP&E>                                       5,628,100
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,828,900
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,119,600
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          235,100
<BONDS>                                        867,200
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,000
<OTHER-SE>                                     602,500
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,119,600
<SALES>                                        643,200
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               689,400
<CGS>                                          376,500
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  544,200
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              40,700
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 65,700
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (52,700)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            118,400
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   118,400
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.21