<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>                   9-MOS                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998             SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                       1,819,642               4,395,369
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,977,182               3,005,306
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             3,870,438               7,449,481
<PP&E>                                      82,586,286              78,680,132
<DEPRECIATION>                              49,387,660              30,451,675
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              43,313,805              62,729,930
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        7,994,070               8,300,767
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                       11,893,483              10,589,588
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                         1,000                   1,000
<OTHER-SE>                                (44,813,139)            (24,174,967)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                43,313,805              62,729,930
<SALES>                                     12,435,924              14,235,272
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            12,702,012              14,708,857
<CGS>                                        3,179,929               3,408,208
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               32,036,288              32,538,454
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           7,512,181               7,723,717
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (19,334,276)            (17,829,597)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (19,334,276)            (17,829,597)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                              (19,334,276)            (17,829,597)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                 (228.97)                (140.52)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                 (228.97)                (140.52)