<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM NEWFIELD
EXPLORATION COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT JUNE 30, 1997 AND
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997, THAT
ARE CONTAINED IN ITS FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1997.
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-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          13,254
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   30,626
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                46,106
<PP&E>                                         643,315
<DEPRECIATION>                                 241,099
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 448,583
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           36,565
<BONDS>                                         87,500
<COMMON>                                       155,150
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     111,680
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   448,583
<SALES>                                         89,272
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                89,272
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                52,578
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 857
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 30,210
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,550
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             19,660
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    19,660
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.52
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0