WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL   INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM  THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOUND ON
PAGES  2 AND 3 OF THE  COMPANY'S  FORM  10-Q  FOR THE  YEAR-TO-DATE,  AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                          0000930550                  
<NAME>                         Flores & Rucks, Inc.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                         18,983
<SECURITIES>                                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  23,519
<ALLOWANCES>                                        0
<INVENTORY>                                         0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               44,158
<PP&E>                                        532,446
<DEPRECIATION>                                162,517
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                434,285
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          58,618
<BONDS>                                       284,264
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                          196
<OTHER-SE>                                     89,827    
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  434,285
<SALES>                                       116,671  
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              116,671 
<CGS>                                          33,641
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  92,065
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (173)