<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF COSTILLA ENERGY, INC. FOR THE
QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                           3,894
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   10,546
<ALLOWANCES>                                       842
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                14,211
<PP&E>                                         179,633
<DEPRECIATION>                                  90,680
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 123,461
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           52,887
<BONDS>                                        181,608
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          5
<COMMON>                                         1,410
<OTHER-SE>                                   (123,094)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   123,461
<SALES>                                         10,977
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                11,136
<CGS>                                            3,601
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    4,074
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 8,938
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,061
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (5,937)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (5,937)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (5,937)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (.42)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.42)