<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Swift Energy
Income Partners 1988-C 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>                                           1,866
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   88,969
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                90,835
<PP&E>                                       4,875,524
<DEPRECIATION>                             (3,986,170)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 992,488
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           63,952
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     902,427
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   992,488
<SALES>                                        203,234
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               204,517
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  142,146<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 31,924
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             31,924
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    31,924
<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>