<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE MESA,
INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES JUNE 30, 1996, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                         174,391
<SECURITIES>                                         4
<RECEIVABLES>                                   48,123
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,730
<INVENTORY>                                      2,236
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               225,270
<PP&E>                                       1,956,888
<DEPRECIATION>                                 908,209
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,413,459
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          206,895
<BONDS>                                      1,083,029
<COMMON>                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        643
<OTHER-SE>                                      73,071
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,413,459
<SALES>                                        151,965
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               151,965
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  105,582
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                40,779
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              73,913
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,604
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,604
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,604
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .09