<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE AUDITED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AT DECEMBER
31, 1996 AND 1997, AND THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT MARCH 31,
1998 AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AT MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000732834
<NAME> CONTINENTAL RESOURCES INC
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 MAR-31-1998
<CASH> 1,301,115 1,287,389
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 25,143,543 17,714,484
<ALLOWANCES> 0 0
<INVENTORY> 3,548,547 3,833,592
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 30,435,471 23,435,934
<PP&E> 246,476,351 262,507,304
<DEPRECIATION> (88,559,352) (94,068,917)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 188,386,166 200,801,222
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 30,590,927 20,229,297
<BONDS> 0 0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0
<PREFERRED> 0 0
<COMMON> 49,045 49,041
<OTHER-SE> 78,215,404 79,930,289
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 188,386,166 200,801,222
<SALES> 103,619,839 22,721,828
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 110,025,226 24,188,612
<CGS> 43,463,750 10,663,726
<TOTAL-COSTS> 96,267,932 20,718,003
<OTHER-EXPENSES> (8,060,863) (6,368)
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,803,837 2,005,019
<INCOME-PRETAX> 17,255,776 1,714,881
<INCOME-TAX> 17,255,776 1,714,881
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 26,197,226 1,714,881
<EPS-PRIMARY> 0 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0 0