<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000089629
<NAME> SHELL OIL COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                             650
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,147
<ALLOWANCES>                                        18
<INVENTORY>                                      1,050
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 5,045
<PP&E>                                          31,897
<DEPRECIATION>                                  15,657
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  28,980
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            6,978
<BONDS>                                            810
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      14,622
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    28,980
<SALES>                                         14,177
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                14,725
<CGS>                                           11,217
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   11,410
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,139
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     9
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  97
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,503
<INCOME-TAX>                                       420
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,048
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,048
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0