<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL  INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE DENBURY
RESOURCES  INC.  DECEMBER 31, 1997 FORM 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                 1000
<CURRENCY>                           U.S. DOLLARS
       
                                       
<PERIOD-TYPE>                          12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                      DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                         JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                           DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                1
<CASH>                                       9,326
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                               24,054
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                    0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            33,380
<PP&E>                                     471,564
<DEPRECIATION>                             (62,732)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             447,548
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       30,688
<BONDS>                                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                   133,139
<OTHER-SE>                                  27,084
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               447,548
<SALES>                                     85,333
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            86,456
<CGS>                                          0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               61,547
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,111
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             23,798
<INCOME-TAX>                                 8,895
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         14,903
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                14,903
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  .74
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  .70