<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, AND STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR 3
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-Q SEPTEMBER 30, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000895126
<NAME> CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           2,444
<SECURITIES>                                     2,912
<RECEIVABLES>                                   45,991
<ALLOWANCES>                                       340
<INVENTORY>                                     10,461
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                63,250
<PP&E>                                         633,443
<DEPRECIATION>                                 113,107
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 595,551
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          109,657
<BONDS>                                        277,323
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,013
<OTHER-SE>                                     183,644
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   595,551
<SALES>                                         48,937
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                49,785
<CGS>                                           34,048
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   36,865
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,817
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,920
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,716
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,204
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .26
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .26