<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM
10-Q FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FILED FOR THE PERIOD ENDING MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000216991
<NAME> SAGE ENERGY COMPANY
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                           9,798
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    9,270
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,707
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                21,097
<PP&E>                                         135,710
<DEPRECIATION>                               (104,482)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  52,460
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           11,855
<BONDS>                                         10,698
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      25,800
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    52,460
<SALES>                                         25,679
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                29,228
<CGS>                                           11,827
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   12,470
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,259
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 883
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,616
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,070
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,546
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     18
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,564
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    5,407
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0