<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
unaudited financial statements of BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust as of, and for
the three and nine month periods ended, September 30, 1997 and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997             SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                               0                       0
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   141                     141
<PP&E>                                         535,000                 535,000
<DEPRECIATION>                               (285,421)               (285,421)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 249,720                 249,720
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              100                     100
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                       249,620                 249,620
<OTHER-SE>                                           0                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   249,720                 249,720
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 8,770                  35,960
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   221                     585
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,549                  35,375
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,549                  35,375
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,549                  35,375
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.399                   1.653
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.399                   1.653