<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
Vastar Resources, Inc.  Financial Data Schedule as of March 31, 1997.
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> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          22,800
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  299,900
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     10,300
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               373,600
<PP&E>                                       4,760,700
<DEPRECIATION>                             (3,387,800)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,746,500
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          386,900
<BONDS>                                        630,300
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,000
<OTHER-SE>                                     348,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,746,500
<SALES>                                        281,700
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               283,600
<CGS>                                          117,900
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  188,700
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 67,200
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,300
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             62,900
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    62,900
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.65
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.65