<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK>        0000868809
<NAME>       CROSS TIMBERS OIL COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                          12,333
<SECURITIES>                                    44,386
<RECEIVABLES>                                   50,607
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               137,578
<PP&E>                                       1,370,518
<DEPRECIATION>                                 319,507
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,207,594
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           99,588
<BONDS>                                        921,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     28,468
<COMMON>                                           541
<OTHER-SE>                                     148,442
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,207,594
<SALES>                                        249,486
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               249,486
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  209,224
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                93,719
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              52,113
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (105,570)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (35,851)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (69,719)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (71,498)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (1.65)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (1.65)