<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
SWIFT ENERGY INCOME PARTNERS 1988-B, LTD'S BALANCE SHEET AND STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS CONTAINED IN ITS FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1996.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                           1,797
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  113,376
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               115,173
<PP&E>                                       7,149,190
<DEPRECIATION>                             (5,867,795)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,417,050
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          340,337
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,034,270
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,417,050
<SALES>                                        119,328
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               120,023
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   96,597<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,761
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,782
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,782
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,782
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>Includes lease operating expenses, production taxes and depreciation,
depletion and amortization expense. Excludes general and administrative and
interest expense.
</FN>