<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF STONE ENERGY CORPORATION  AS OF JUNE 30, 1997 
AND THE RELATED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX 
MONTHS THEN ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE COMPANY'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          10,396
<SECURITIES>                                    16,003
<RECEIVABLES>                                   11,443
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                38,274
<PP&E>                                           7,513
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,390
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 253,556
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           35,546
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           150
<OTHER-SE>                                     149,380
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   253,556
<SALES>                                         29,005
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                29,899
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   18,276
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,075
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,103
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,445
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,252
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,193
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,193
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    $0.33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    $0.33