<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) OF POGO PRODUCING COMPANY,
INCLUDING THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF 12-31-1998 AND THE CONSOLIDATED 
STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE 12 MOS. ENDED 12-31-1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS 
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                           7,959
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   63,031
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0<F1>
<INVENTORY>                                     11,563
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                85,367
<PP&E>                                       1,718,284
<DEPRECIATION>                                 992,759
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 862,396
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          107,479
<BONDS>                                        434,947
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        40,136
<OTHER-SE>                                     209,524
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   862,396
<SALES>                                        202,895<F2>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               202,803
<CGS>                                           71,213<F3>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   71,213<F3>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               188,810<F4>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0<F5>
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              24,682
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (70,849)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    27,751
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (43,098)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (43,098)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.14)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.14)
<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>