<ARTICLE>                                                                 5
<LEGEND>  THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
          FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ENERGY SEARCH, INCORPORATED AND
          SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998, 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-START>                                                  JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                    SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                                              171,767
<SECURITIES>                                                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                       897,052
<ALLOWANCES>                                                              0
<INVENTORY>                                                          60,034
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                  1,157,635
<PP&E>                                                           24,312,224
<DEPRECIATION>                                                  (4,172,428)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                   23,918,787
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                             1,153,869
<BONDS>                                                           6,856,674
<COMMON>                                                         17,231,343
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                               201,255
<PREFERRED>                                                               0
<OTHER-SE>                                                      (1,524,354)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                     23,918,787
<SALES>                                                           1,969,650
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                  2,779,289
<CGS>                                                                54,051
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                     2,444,550
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                  (146,034)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                  221,175
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                    (32,470)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                          9,700
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                (22,770)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                                       (22,770)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                         (.01)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                         (.01)