<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
condensed consolidated balance sheet of Stone Energy Corporation (the "Company")
as of September 30, 1996 and the related condensed consolidated statement of
operations for the nine months ended September 30, 1996, and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to such financial statements included in the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30,
1996.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           6,686
<SECURITIES>                                    20,124
<RECEIVABLES>                                   10,621
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                37,667
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 201,037
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           27,647
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                           118
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      74,980
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   201,037
<SALES>                                         41,248
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                42,747
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   24,286
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,734
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,496
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 13,231
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,093
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,138
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,138
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.68
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.68