<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
Vastar Resources, Inc.:  Financial Data Schedule for the six months ending
June 30, 1996.  This schedule contains summary financial information
extracted from the Consolidated Statement of Income and the Consolidated
Balance Sheet and 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>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          33,600
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  248,100
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      9,200
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               364,800
<PP&E>                                       4,441,500
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,171,500
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,634,800
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          372,200
<BONDS>                                        739,400
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       455,000
<OTHER-SE>                                     197,200
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,634,800
<SALES>                                        440,900
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               456,500
<CGS>                                          221,400
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  296,400
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              25,700
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                107,300
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (2,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            109,300
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   109,300
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.12