PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NO. 42, DATED MAY 17, 1996 PURSUANT TO
- ------------------------------------------------- RULE 424(B)(3)
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED OCTOBER 3, 1994) REG. NO. 33-54561
800,000 DEPOSITARY SHARES,
4,000 SHARES OF $450 CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
AND
17,777,777 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
AMERICAN EXPLORATION COMPANY
The following beneficial owner of Depositary Shares has requested the
Company to file a Prospectus Supplement identifying it as a Selling
Securityholder. The information concerning such Selling Securityholder has
been provided by such Selling Securityholder.
NO. OF NO. OF DEPOSITARY % OF OUTSTANDING % OF OUTSTANDING
SELLING DEPOSITARY SHARES DEPOSITARY SHARES DEPOSITARY SHARES
SECURITYHOLDER SHARES OWNED THAT MAY BE SOLD BEFORE SALE AFTER SALE
- -------------- ------------ ---------------- ----------------- -----------------
Nap & Co.
Mercantile - Safe Deposit &
Investment Co.
2 Hopkins Plaza - 4th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201 8,900 1,400 1.11% 0.94%
----- ----- ----- -----
Total 8,900 1,400 1.11% 0.94%
===== ===== ===== =====
Additional Selling Securityholders or other information concerning the
Selling Securityholder listed above may be set forth in subsequent Prospectus
Supplements from time to time. As a result of such additional Prospectus
Supplements, the total amount of Depositary Shares offered for the account of
Selling Securityholders may increase further, up to a maximum of 800,000
Depositary Shares.