<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER
SHARE DATA) EXTRACTED FROM PETROLEUM HEAT AND POWER CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF MARCH 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                          18,819
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  135,710
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,452
<INVENTORY>                                     13,997
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               181,988
<PP&E>                                          70,555
<DEPRECIATION>                                  39,641
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 341,100
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           94,199
<BONDS>                                        291,960
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           12,500
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,527
<OTHER-SE>                                    (68,935)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   341,100
<SALES>                                        268,534
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               279,655
<CGS>                                          156,848
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  178,817
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                49,468
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   430
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,114
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 42,490
<INCOME-TAX>                                       400
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             45,455
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (6,414)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    39,041
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.49
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.49