<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 JUNE 30, 1998
AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AT JUNE 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000732834
<NAME> CONTINENTAL RESOURCES INC
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997             JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                       1,301,115               1,336,110
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                               25,143,543              15,732,561
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                  3,548,547               4,962,746
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            30,435,471              42,016,174
<PP&E>                                     246,476,351             318,840,647
<DEPRECIATION>                            (88,559,352)           (103,918,055)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             188,386,166             257,863,253
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       30,590,927              19,155,068
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                        49,045                  49,041
<OTHER-SE>                                  78,215,404              74,716,050
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               188,386,166             257,863,253
<SALES>                                    103,619,839              41,094,998
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           110,025,226              44,157,318
<CGS>                                       43,463,750              17,483,171
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               96,267,932              43,354,856
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           (8,060,863)                (92,396)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           4,803,837               5,174,113
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             17,255,776             (3,499,358)
<INCOME-TAX>                               (8,941,450)                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         17,255,776             (3,499,358)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                26,197,226             (3,499,358)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0