<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM GULF EXPLORATION CONSULTANTS, INC. FORM 10-K FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <CASH> 5,789 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 0 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 5,789 <PP&E> 0 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 5,789 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 121,910 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 19,911 <OTHER-SE> (136,032) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 5,789 <SALES> 3,183 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 3,183 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 108,530 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,047 <INCOME-PRETAX> 382,914 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 382,914 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 382,914 <EPS-PRIMARY> .20 <EPS-DILUTED> .20