<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
      This schedule contains summary financial information (in thousands except
per share data) extracted from Petroleum Heat and Power Co., Inc. and
Subsidiaries financial statements as of December 31, 1997 and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>

<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                               2,390  
<SECURITIES>                                             0  
<RECEIVABLES>                                       79,967  
<ALLOWANCES>                                           980  
<INVENTORY>                                         16,285  
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   105,124  
<PP&E>                                              73,397  
<DEPRECIATION>                                      42,782  
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     247,846  
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                               92,688  
<BONDS>                                            288,957  
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               32,489  
<PREFERRED>                                              0  
<COMMON>                                             2,620  
<OTHER-SE>                                        (179,653) 
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       247,846  
<SALES>                                            509,751  
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   548,141  
<CGS>                                              305,536  
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      379,748  
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   168,481  
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     1,853  
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  33,813  
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    (22,164) 
<INCOME-TAX>                                           500  
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                (22,899) 
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0  
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0  
<CHANGES>                                                0  
<NET-INCOME>                                       (22,899) 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        (1.06) 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        (1.06)