<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) OF POGO PRODUCING
COMPANY, INCLUDING THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF SEPT. 30, 1998 AND THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPT. 30, 1998, AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          17,422
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   56,665
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0<F1>
<INVENTORY>                                     10,632
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                88,148
<PP&E>                                       1,656,936
<DEPRECIATION>                                 963,227
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 823,350
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           71,112
<BONDS>                                        381,854
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        40,119
<OTHER-SE>                                     243,705
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   823,350
<SALES>                                        159,678<F2>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               159,572
<CGS>                                           51,196<F3>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   51,196<F3>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               118,748<F4>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0<F5>
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,513
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (19,858)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,052
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (10,806)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (10,806)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.29)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.29)
<FN>
<F1>THIS AMOUNT IS NOT DISCLOSED ON THE FACE OF THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS DUE TO LACK OF MATERIALITY, BUT IS INCLUDED AS A CONTRA-ASSET IN
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE.
<F2>DOES NOT INCLUDE GAINS OR LOSSES ON PROPERTY SALES.
<F3>INCLUDES LEASE OPERATING EXPENSE AND NATURAL GAS PURCHASES AND PIPELINE
OPERATIONS, BUT EXCLUDES GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE, EXPLORATION, DRY HOLE AND
IMPAIRMENT AND DEPRECIATION, DEPLETION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSES.
<F4>INCLUDES GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE, EXPLORATION, DRY HOLE AND IMPAIRMENT 
AND DEPRECIATION, DEPLETION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSES.
<F5>THIS AMOUNT IS NOT DISCLOSED ON THE FACE OF THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS DUE TO LACK OF MATERIALITY, BUT IS INCLUDED IN OIL AND GAS REVENUES.
</FN>