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SOUTHERN MINERAL CORPORATION
Exhibit 11.1


         COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER COMMON AND COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARE
                    (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Quarter Ended               Quarter Ended            
                                                  September 30, 1996          September 30, 1995           
                                                                Fully                       Fully         
                                                 Primary       Diluted       Primary       Diluted         
                                                 -------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>            
Net Earnings (loss)                              $  627        $  627        $   92         $   92          
                                                 =================================================
Weighted average number of common                                                                           
  shares outstanding                              6,469         6,469         6,275          6,275          
                                                                                                            
Excess of shares issuable upon exercise                                                                     
  of stock options over shares deemed                                                                       
  retired under the "modified treasury stock"                                                               
  method                                            856           983             0              0          
                                                 -------------------------------------------------
Weighted average number of common                                                                           
  and dilutive common equivalent shares                                                                     
  outstanding                                     7,325         7,452         6,275          6,275          
                                                 =================================================
Earnings (loss) per common and                                                                              
  common equivalent share                        $ 0.09        $ 0.08        $ 0.01         $ 0.01          
                                                 =================================================

<CAPTION>
                                                  Nine Months Ended           Nine Months Ended
                                                  September 30, 1996          September 30, 1995
                                                                Fully                       Fully         
                                                 Primary       Diluted       Primary       Diluted         
                                                 -------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>            
Net Earnings (loss)                              $2,072        $2,072        $   (18)       $  (18)
                                                         
Weighted average number of common                        
  shares outstanding                              6,461         6,461          5,507         5,507
                                                         
Excess of shares issuable upon exercise                  
  of stock options over shares deemed                    
  retired under the "modified treasury stock"            
  method                                            545           685              0             0
                                                 -------------------------------------------------
Weighted average number of common                        
  and dilutive common equivalent shares                  
  outstanding                                     7,006         7,146          5,507         5,507
                                                 =================================================
Earnings (loss) per common and                           
  common equivalent share                        $ 0.30        $ 0.29        $ (0.00)       $(0.00)
                                                 =================================================
</TABLE>