<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0001012884
<NAME> RUTHERFORD-MORAN EXPLORATION CO.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                           6,088
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   21,896
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                29,804
<PP&E>                                         256,845
<DEPRECIATION>                                  23,462
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 299,357
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            6,911
<BONDS>                                        233,850
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           256
<OTHER-SE>                                      68,120
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   299,351
<SALES>                                          7,920
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 7,974
<CGS>                                            5,642
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   14,630
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (2,811)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,470
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (8,315)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (3,242)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (5,073)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (5,073)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.20)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.20)