<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM NEWFIELD
EXPLORATION COMPANY'S BALANCE SHEET AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND STATEMENT OF 
INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998, THAT ARE CONTAINED IN ITS 
FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998. THE SCHEDULE IS 
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
              
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                           3,394
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   35,911
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                43,803
<PP&E>                                       1,057,597
<DEPRECIATION>                                 380,116
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 723,860
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           61,455
<BONDS>                                        187,643
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       248,160
<OTHER-SE>                                     141,361
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   723,860
<SALES>                                        145,180
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               145,180
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               111,859
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,065
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 17,595
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,261
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,334
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,334
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.29