<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM NEWFIELD
EXPLORATION COMPANY'S BALANCE SHEET AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND STATEMENT OF
INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, THAT ARE CONTAINED IN
ITS FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996. THE
SCHEDULE IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          41,957
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   24,652
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                68,972
<PP&E>                                         485,881
<DEPRECIATION>                                 180,672
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 379,033
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           59,604
<BONDS>                                         56,000
<COMMON>                                       145,752
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      77,789
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   379,033
<SALES>                                        101,774
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               101,774
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                57,629
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 197
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 37,754
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,203
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             24,551
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    24,551
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0