<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This Schedule contains summary financial information extracted from (A) Balance
Sheet as of March 31, 1997 and Statement of Income for nine months ended March
31, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such (B) Form 10-Q
dated March 31, 1997.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000895126
<NAME> CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         300,810
<SECURITIES>                                    62,003
<RECEIVABLES>                                   56,660
<ALLOWANCES>                                       182
<INVENTORY>                                      7,454
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               438,978
<PP&E>                                         891,406
<DEPRECIATION>                                 158,035
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,190,046
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          141,314
<BONDS>                                        508,961
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           697
<OTHER-SE>                                     502,359
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,190,046
<SALES>                                        199,995
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               205,788
<CGS>                                          131,312
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  141,182
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    88
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,870
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 64,606
<INCOME-TAX>                                    23,580
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             41,026
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (6,620)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    34,406
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.50