WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  

<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information  extracted from the Form
10-K for December 31, 1997, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such financial statements.

</LEGEND>
<CIK> MOBILE ENERGY SERVICES HOLDINGS, INC
                                                       
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                             YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                    DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                         DEC-31-1997
<BOOK-VALUE>                                          PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT>                              343,817
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST>                                  0
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  66,294
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES>                                13,504
<OTHER-ASSETS>                                               0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                         423,614
<COMMON>                                                     1
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN>                               14,120
<RETAINED-EARNINGS>                                          0
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ>                          14,888
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                        0
<PREFERRED>                                                  0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET>                                   297,854
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES>                                           0
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE>                                    0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS>                               0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT>                        (7,885)
<PREFERRED-STOCK-CURRENT>                                    0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS>                                  0
<LEASES-CURRENT>                                             0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB>                         111,639
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB>                          423,614
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE>                               86,481
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE>                                     3,811
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                              48,424
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                              52,235
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS>                                 34,246
<OTHER-INCOME-NET>                                         978
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN>                          35,224
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                29,192
<NET-INCOME>                                             6,032
<PREFERRED-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                                  0
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM>                            6,032
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                                     0
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS>                                    0
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS>                                  32,487
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                            6,032
<EPS-DILUTED>                                            6,032