<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-QSB
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000073759
<NAME> OCEANIC EXPLORATION
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                         540,415
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    6,371
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               547,869
<PP&E>                                      39,000,000
<DEPRECIATION>                            (38,007,033)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,540,836
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,973,645
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       619,759
<OTHER-SE>                                     155,696
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,540,836
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               292,203
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               232,694
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              26,763
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 32,745
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (53,302)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (20,556)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (20,556)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.01)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.01)