<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOUND ON
PAGES 2 AND 3 OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE YEAR-TO-DATE, AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000930550
<NAME> OCEAN ENERGY, INC.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   34,178
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                39,156
<PP&E>                                         761,261
<DEPRECIATION>                                 240,272
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 582,410
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           88,234
<BONDS>                                        357,186
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           197
<OTHER-SE>                                     122,508
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   582,410
<SALES>                                        130,069
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               130,069
<CGS>                                           32,592
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   92,768
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (685)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,303
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 24,682
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,555
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,127
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,127
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.77
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.77