<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM TESORO
PETROLEUM CORPORATION'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AN FOR THE THREE MONTH PERIOD
ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                           2,274
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   65,810
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,292
<INVENTORY>                                     97,793
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               172,569
<PP&E>                                         742,058
<DEPRECIATION>                                 317,645
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 635,429
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           85,956
<BONDS>                                        136,290
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         4,419
<OTHER-SE>                                     334,940
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   635,429
<SALES>                                        195,253
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               196,039
<CGS>                                          165,242
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  165,242
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                13,154
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,665
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,890
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,831
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,059
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,059
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.23