<ARTICLE>                                                                 5
<LEGEND>  THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
          FROM THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF
          ENERGY SEARCH, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
          SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
          TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                                          1,000

                                                            
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                         9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                                  JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                                    SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                                              926,793
<SECURITIES>                                                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                       865,354
<ALLOWANCES>                                                              0
<INVENTORY>                                                          62,209
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                  1,901,221
<PP&E>                                                           30,413,164
<DEPRECIATION>                                                  (6,144,643)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                   29,608,103
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                             1,175,491
<BONDS>                                                          13,388,239
<COMMON>                                                         17,238,865
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                               831,071
<PREFERRED>                                                               0
<OTHER-SE>                                                      (3,025,563)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                     29,608,103
<SALES>                                                           2,318,263
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                  2,719,443
<CGS>                                                                36,058
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                     3,261,608
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                     81,361
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                  645,731
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                 (1,269,257)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                        222,300
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                             (1,046,957)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                                    (1,046,957)
<EPS-BASIC>                                                         (.27)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                         (.27)