<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM NEWFIELD
EXPLORATION COMPANY'S BALANCE SHEET AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000, THAT ARE CONTAINED IN
ITS FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000. THE SCHEDULE IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                          12,140
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   19,496
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                32,835
<PP&E>                                         166,476
<DEPRECIATION>                                  17,367
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 185,870
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           57,907
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           62,405
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           119
<OTHER-SE>                                       5,522
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   185,870
<SALES>                                         30,363
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                30,734
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   19,717
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,783
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,351
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,161
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,190
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,190
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.40
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.29