<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                       2,484,807
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                4,069,804
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             8,010,029
<PP&E>                                     114,609,795
<DEPRECIATION>                            (33,479,495)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              92,035,889
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        5,813,196
<BONDS>                                     52,578,232<F1>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,626,839
<OTHER-SE>                                  27,115,122
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                92,035,889
<SALES>                                      4,969,871
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             5,024,189
<CGS>                                        2,095,551<F2>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,095,551
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             1,920,808<F3>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,317,020
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (1,309,190)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (1,309,190)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (1,309,190)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.08)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.08)
<FN>
<F1>14 7/8% SENIOR SECURED NOTES DUE 2002
<F2>OIL & GAS PRODUCTION COSTS & GAS PLANT COSTS
<F3>EXPLORATION, DD&A, G&A
</FN>