<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                                 5
<LEGEND>  THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
          FROM THE FORM 10-KSB FOR ENERGY SEARCH, INCORPORATED AND IS
          QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
          STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                                          1,000

<S>                                                            <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                        12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                                  JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                    DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                                            2,252,316
<SECURITIES>                                                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                     1,361,742
<ALLOWANCES>                                                        172,431
<INVENTORY>                                                          54,363
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                  3,320,051
<PP&E>                                                           13,547,850
<DEPRECIATION>                                                  (3,483,786)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                   16,120,700
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                             2,036,616
<BONDS>                                                             137,595
<COMMON>                                                                  0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                                      15,448,073
<OTHER-SE>                                                      (1,501,584)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                     16,120,700
<SALES>                                                             798,956
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                  2,361,249
<CGS>                                                                24,669
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                     2,712,983
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                     80,384
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                     11,728
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                  105,735
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                   (549,581)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                        182,300
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                               (367,281)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                                      (367,281)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                         (.14)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                         (.14)



</TABLE>