<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE WISER
OIL COMPANY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          13,255
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,765
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,007
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                29,190
<PP&E>                                         352,054
<DEPRECIATION>                                 131,346
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 254,556
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           21,381
<BONDS>                                        124,304
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        27,385
<OTHER-SE>                                      70,039
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   254,556
<SALES>                                         76,729
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                87,815
<CGS>                                           28,805
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   74,387
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,845
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,583
<INCOME-TAX>                                       264
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,319
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,319
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .37
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .37