<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ST. JOE CORPORATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                     YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                         158,568
<SECURITIES>                                    51,034
<RECEIVABLES>                                   58,623
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     15,605
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                18,562
<PP&E>                                       1,194,142
<DEPRECIATION>                                (335,005)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,546,641
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           50,662
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        13,054
<OTHER-SE>                                     893,750
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,546,641
<SALES>                                        112,340
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               346,252
<CGS>                                           87,758
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  293,491
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                (389)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 94,374
<INCOME-TAX>                                    40,520
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             35,453
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    35,453
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.39
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.38