<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ST. JOE CORPORATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                         200,986
<SECURITIES>                                    38,200
<RECEIVABLES>                                   39,343
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     12,692
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               326,886
<PP&E>                                       1,180,263
<DEPRECIATION>                                 327,046
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,584,860
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           56,699
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        13,054
<OTHER-SE>                                     921,552
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,584,860
<SALES>                                         79,566
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               251,894
<CGS>                                           63,282
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  118,493
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                28,103
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 74,666
<INCOME-TAX>                                    32,981
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             28,281
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    28,281
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .93
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .93