<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE AUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT DECEMBER 31, 1998, AND THE
AUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998,
OF MURPHY OIL CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                          28,271
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  244,954
<ALLOWANCES>                                    11,048
<INVENTORY>                                    129,777
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               437,366
<PP&E>                                       4,648,216
<DEPRECIATION>                               2,985,854
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,164,419
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          380,750
<BONDS>                                        333,473
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        48,775
<OTHER-SE>                                     929,458
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,164,419
<SALES>                                      1,624,980
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,698,848
<CGS>                                        1,482,314
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,482,314
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               145,709<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,484
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (8,277)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,117
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (14,394)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (14,394)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (.32)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.32)
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDES 80,127 FOR IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS.
</FN>