<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
TRANSAMERICAN ENERGY CORPORATION'S UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEET AT OCTOBER 31, 1998 AND THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                          49,072
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   23,500
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     40,007
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<PP&E>                                       2,879,715
<DEPRECIATION>                                 916,149
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,166,504
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          277,337
<BONDS>                                      1,870,481
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<SALES>                                        133,782 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               208,399
<CGS>                                           66,821 
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  377,540
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
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<INCOME-TAX>                                   (38,882)
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<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (2,436)
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