<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
VASTAR RESOURCES, INC.: FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE AS OF THE SIX MONTHS ENDING JUNE
30, 1999. 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.

RULE 5-03-04 SPECIFICALLY DOES NOT ADDRESS SG&A COSTS AS A REQUIREMENT IN THE
FDS.

</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                          20,600
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  235,700
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      7,200
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               280,100
<PP&E>                                       6,179,300
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,974,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,560,800
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          228,400
<BONDS>                                      1,248,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,000
<OTHER-SE>                                     669,200
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,560,800
<SALES>                                        478,800
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               521,100
<CGS>                                          335,100
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  420,400
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              41,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 34,600
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (32,700)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             67,300
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    67,300
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.68