<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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                                  JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                    DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                                              595,749
<SECURITIES>                                                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                       980,881
<ALLOWANCES>                                                              0
<INVENTORY>                                                          61,984
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                  1,666,856
<PP&E>                                                           25,469,911
<DEPRECIATION>                                                  (4,917,405)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                   25,023,409
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                             1,179,084
<BONDS>                                                           7,703,369
<COMMON>                                                         17,206,862
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                                         847,707
<OTHER-SE>                                                      (1,913,613)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                     25,023,409
<SALES>                                                           2,597,875
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                  3,527,854
<CGS>                                                                68,845
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                     3,571,509
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                    192,837
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                        820
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                  392,716
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                   (630,028)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                        235,600
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                               (394,428)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                                      (394,428)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                         (.11)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                         (.11)
        


</TABLE>