<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Swift Energy
Income Partners 1987-B LTD's balance sheet and statement of operations contained
in its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                           1,157
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  374,385
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               382,488
<PP&E>                                      24,716,207
<DEPRECIATION>                            (20,119,258)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,982,935
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           80,917
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   4,673,936
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,982,935
<SALES>                                      1,013,337
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,032,298
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  611,109<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                279,916
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            279,916
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   279,916
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>Includes lease operating expenese, production taxes and depreciation
depletion and amortization expense. Excludes general and administrative and
interest expense.
</FN>