<PAGE>
                          UNITED STATES
                                
               SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                
                     WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
                                
                            FORM 10-Q

      X   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
     SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
     For the quarterly period ended         June 30, 1997

                               OR

           TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR  15(d)  OF
     THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                  to


                                


Commission file number        1-10053

                                
                        ORYX ENERGY COMPANY
     (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                                
                                
                 DELAWARE                         23-1743284
     (State or other jurisdiction of       (I.R.S. Employer
    incorporation or organization)     Identification Number)
                                
                                
       13155 NOEL ROAD, DALLAS, TEXAS             75240-5067
     (Address of principal executive offices)     (Zip code)
                                
                                
                         (972) 715-4000
      (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
                                
                                


      Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed
all  reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d)  of  the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding  12  months
(or  for such shorter period that the registrant was required  to
file  such  reports),  and (2) has been subject  to  such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  X    No




      The  number  of  shares  of common  stock,  $1  par  value,
outstanding on July 1, 1997 was 105,415,076.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 2
                       ORYX ENERGY COMPANY
                                
                                
                              INDEX



                                                                     Page

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  Item 1. Financial Statements

          Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the
          Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 1997 and 1996.........  3

          Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30,
          1997 and December 31, 1996................................  4

          Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for
          the Six Months Ended June 30, 1997 and 1996...............  5

          Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements......  6

          Report of Independent Accountants.........................  9

  Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
          Condition and Results of Operations....................... 10


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

  Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K ......................... 13

SIGNATURE........................................................... 14
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 3
                             PART I
                      FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements
ORYX ENERGY COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                     For the Three Months  For the Six Months
(Millions of Dollars, Except             Ended June 30        Ended June 30
 Per Share Amounts)                       1997   1996         1997    1996
                                                    (Unaudited)
<S>                                       <C>    <C>          <C>     <C>
Revenues
  Oil and gas (Note 3)                   $ 276   $ 256         $ 618   $ 504
  Other                                     (2)     (3)           (9)     (4)
                                         -----   -----         -----   -----
                                           274     253           609     500
                                         -----   -----         -----   -----
Costs and Expenses
  Operating costs                           67      57           136     115
  Production taxes                          41      36            80      62
  Exploration costs                         17      14            31      25
  Depreciation, depletion and
    amortization                            74      66           153     129
  General and administrative
    expense                                 15      14            30      29
  Interest and debt expense                 28      27            55      56
  Interest capitalized                      (3)     (4)           (8)     (7)
                                         -----   -----         -----   -----

                                           239     210           477     409
                                         -----   -----         -----   -----
Income Before Provision for
  Income Taxes                              35      43           132      91
Provision for Income Taxes (Note 4)         10      14            45      31
Remeasurement of Foreign Deferred
  Tax (Note 4)                               2       1            (2)      -
                                         -----   -----         -----   -----
Net Income                                 $23    $ 28          $ 89     $60
                                         =====   =====         =====   =====

Net  income Per Share of Common Stock    $ .22   $ .27         $ .84   $ .57
                                         =====   =====         =====   =====

Weighted Average Number of Common
  Shares Outstanding (in millions)       105.7   104.9         105.6   104.8
                                         =====   =====         =====   =====
</TABLE>
                    (See Accompanying Notes)
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 4
ORYX ENERGY COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                 June 30    December 31
(Millions of Dollars)                              1997        1996
                                               (Unaudited)
<S>                                            <C>          <C>
Assets

Current Assets
  Cash and cash equivalents                      $    6       $    9
  Accounts receivable and other current assets      210          241
                                                 ------       ------
Total Current Assets                                216          250
Properties, Plants and Equipment (Note 5)         1,705        1,627
Deferred Charges and Other Assets                    57           58
                                                 ------       ------

Total Assets                                     $1,978       $1,935
                                                 ======       ======
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)

Current Liabilities
  Accounts payable                                $ 116       $  130
  Accrued liabilities                               248          251
  Current portion of long-term debt                   4            4
                                                 ------       ------
Total Current Liabilities                           368          385
Long-Term Debt                                    1,166        1,183
Deferred Income Taxes                               234          248
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities              149          156
Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) (Note 6)
  Common stock, par value $1 per share              124          124
  Additional paid-in capital                      1,821        1,821
  Accumulated deficit                              (811)        (895)
                                                 ------       ------
                                                  1,134        1,050

  Less:  Common stock in treasury, at cost         (976)        (988)
         Loan to ESOP                               (97)         (99)
                                                 ------       ------
Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)                       61          (37)
                                                 ------       ------
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
  (Deficit)                                      $1,978       $1,935
                                                 ======       ======
</TABLE>  

The successful efforts method of accounting is followed.

                    (See Accompanying Notes)
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 5
ORYX ENERGY COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     For the Six Months
                                                       Ended June 30
(Millions of Dollars)                                 1997        1996
                                                        (Unaudited)
<S>                                                  <C>          <C>  
Cash and Cash Equivalents From Operating Activities
  Net income                                         $  89        $ 60
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
    cash from operating activities:
     Depreciation, depletion and amortization          153         129
     Dry hole costs and leasehold impairment            10          10
     Deferred income taxes                              16          28
     Remeasurement of foreign deferred tax              (2)          -
     Other                                               5           -
                                                     -----        ----
                                                       271         227

     Changes in working capital:
       Accounts receivable and other current assets     31          (5)
       Accounts payable and accrued liabilities        (15)          -
                                                     -----        ----

Net  Cash  Flow Provided From Operating Activities     287         222
                                                     -----        ----
Investing Activities
  Capital expenditures                                (238)       (185)
  Proceeds from divestments, net of current taxes        1           4
  Other                                                (38)        (11)
                                                     -----        ----

Net Cash Flow Used For Investing Activities           (275)       (192)
                                                     -----        ----
Financing Activities
  Proceeds from borrowings                             105         109
  Repayments of long-term debt                        (122)       (146)
  ESOP Loan Repayment                                    2           -
                                                     -----        ----
Net Cash Flow Used For Financing Activities            (15)        (37)
                                                     -----        ----
Changes In Cash and Cash Equivalents                    (3)         (7)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period         9          20
                                                     -----        ----
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period            $  6         $13
                                                     =====        ====
</TABLE>
                    (See Accompanying Notes)
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 6
                       ORYX ENERGY COMPANY
      NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     
1.   Basis of Presentation
     
     The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements
     and   related   notes  of  Oryx  Energy  Company   and   its
     subsidiaries  (hereinafter,  unless  the  context  otherwise
     requires,  referred  to  as the Company)  are  presented  in
     accordance  with the requirements of Form 10-Q  and  do  not
     include  all  disclosures  normally  required  by  generally
     accepted  accounting principles or those  normally  made  in
     annual  reports on Form 10-K.  In management's opinion,  all
     adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results
     of  operations for the periods shown have been made and  are
     of  a normal recurring nature.  The results of operations of
     the  Company for the six months ended June 30, 1997 are  not
     necessarily  indicative of the results  for  the  full  year
     1997.
     
     Statements of Cash Flows

     Amounts paid for interest and income taxes were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      Six Months Ended June 30
                                          1997      1996
                                      (Millions of Dollars)
<S>                                   <C>        <C>
            Interest paid (net of capitalized
              amounts)                  $   58     $  45
            Income taxes paid           $   41     $   2
</TABLE>

2.   Provision for Restructuring

     In  the fourth quarter of 1995, the Company recognized a net
     $25 million ($16 million after-tax) charge for restructuring
     comprised   of  a  $4  million  adjustment   to   the   1994
     restructuring  provision  and a  $29  million  restructuring
     provision for a plan to achieve further cost reductions.

     An analysis of the 1995 restructuring liability follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                  1997      1997
                      Balance    First     Second  Balance
                         at     Quarter   Quarter     at
                      12/31/96  Activity  Activity 6/30/97
                                 (Millions of Dollars)
<S>                   <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>
     Office lease
       obligation*     $ 13     $ (1)     $ (1)     $ 11
                       ====     ====      ====      ====
</TABLE>
           *    Represents contractual obligations existing prior
                to the commitment date that will continue with no
                economic benefit to the Company.

3.   The Company utilizes collar, swap and put contracts to hedge
     crude oil and natural gas prices.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 7

                       ORYX ENERGY COMPANY
      NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                           (continued)


4.   Income Taxes

     The  Company's provisions for income taxes for the three and
     six  months  ended June 30, 1997 were $10  million  and  $45
     million.  Foreign income tax provisions included within  the
     Company's consolidated provisions are determined based  upon
     the  appropriate foreign statutory rates which  differ  from
     the U.S. statutory rate.

     Deferred  income  taxes  are provided  to  reflect  the  tax
     consequences  in  future  periods  of  differences   between
     financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities
     at  period  end  in accordance with Statement  of  Financial
     Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income  Taxes"
     (SFAS  No. 109).  The remeasurement provisions of  SFAS  No.
     109  have  affected the reported earnings  of  the  Company.
     Earnings  for the three and six months ended June  30,  1997
     decreased $2 million and increased $2 million while earnings
     for  the  three  months  ended June 30,  1996  decreased  $1
     million  from such remeasurement.  Management believes  that
     such non-cash remeasurements distort current period economic
     results and should be disregarded in analyzing the Company's
     current  business.   Future economic  results  may  also  be
     distorted  because payment of the deferred tax liability  is
     not expected to occur in the near-term and it is likely that
     exchange   rates  will  fluctuate  prior  to  the   eventual
     settlement of the liability.


5.   Properties, Plants and Equipment

     At  June  30,  1997  and December 31,  1996,  the  Company's
     properties,  plants  and equipment; and related  accumulated
     depreciation, depletion and amortization were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                               June 30   December 31
                                                1997        1996
                                               (Millions of Dollars)
<S>                                           <C>       <C>
          Gross investment .................  $5,456      $5,354
          Less accumulated depreciation,
            depletion and amortization .....   3,751       3,727
                                              ------      ------
          Net investment ...................  $1,705      $1,627
                                              ======      ======
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 8


                       ORYX ENERGY COMPANY
      NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                           (continued)


6.   Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)

     Shares   of  the  Company's  preferred  and  common   stocks
     authorized, issued, outstanding and in treasury at June  30,
     1997 and December 31, 1996 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                In
                          Authorized   Issued   Outstanding  Treasury
                                  (Thousands of Shares)
<S>                       <C>          <C>      <C>          <C>
     June 30, 1997
      Preferred stock       15,000          -             -         -
      Preference stock       7,741          -             -         -
      Common stock         250,000    126,704       105,415   (18,287)
     December 31, 1996
      Preferred stock       15,000          -             -         -
      Preference stock       7,741          -             -         -
      Common stock         250,000    126,704       104,983   (18,719)
</TABLE>

7.   Subsequent Events

     On  July  3,  1997, the Board of Directors  of  the  Company
     authorized a plan to repurchase up to $50 million of its  7 1/2
     percent Convertible Subordinated Debentures Due 1999 through
     2014.  The purchases, if and when made, will be in the  open
     market  from  time  to time depending on market  conditions.
     There is no specific deadline for the program.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 9

                REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


To the Shareholders and Board of Directors, Oryx Energy Company:


We  have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance
sheet of Oryx Energy Company and its Subsidiaries as of June  30,
1997, the related condensed consolidated statements of income for
the  three and six months ended June 30, 1997 and 1996,  and  the
related  condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for  the
six  months  ended  June  30,  1997 and  1996.   These  financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.

We  conducted our review in accordance with standards established
by  the  American Institute of Certified Public  Accountants.   A
review  of interim financial information consists principally  of
applying  analytical  review procedures  to  financial  data  and
making  inquiries  of  persons  responsible  for  financial   and
accounting  matters.  It is substantially less in scope  than  an
audit  conducted  in accordance with generally accepted  auditing
standards, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion
regarding   the   financial  statements   taken   as   a   whole.
Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based   on   our  review,  we  are  not  aware  of  any  material
modifications  that should be made to the accompanying  condensed
consolidated  financial statements for them to be  in  conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards, the consolidated balance sheet of Oryx Energy
Company  and  its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996,  and  the
related consolidated statements of income and cash flows for  the
year  then ended (not presented herein); and in our report  dated
February  19, 1997, we expressed an unqualified opinion on  those
consolidated   financial  statements.   In   our   opinion,   the
information  set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated
balance sheet as of December 31, 1996, is fairly stated,  in  all
material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance  sheet
from which it has been derived.


                                    /s/COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.


Dallas, Texas
July 29, 1997
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 10

Item 2.   Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis  of   Financial
          Condition and Results of Operations


FINANCIAL CONDITION

The  Company's cash and cash equivalents decreased by $3  million
over  the  six  months  ended June 30, 1997.   The  decrease  was
comprised  of  $287  million  of  net  cash  flow  provided  from
operating  activities, $275 million of net  cash  flow  used  for
investing  activities and $15 million of net cash flow  used  for
financing activities.  The $287 million in net cash flow provided
from  operating activities consisted of $271 million in net  cash
flow provided from operating activities before changes in current
assets  and liabilities and $16 million provided from changes  in
current  assets and liabilities.  The $271 million  in  net  cash
flow provided from operating activities before changes in current
assets  and liabilities was primarily impacted by an increase  in
crude  oil  and natural gas volumes, an increase in  natural  gas
prices,  offset in part, by a decrease in crude oil prices.   The
$16  million  of net cash flow provided from changes  in  current
assets  and  liabilities consisted of a $31 million  decrease  in
accounts  receivable and other current assets and a  $15  million
decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

The  $275  million in net cash flow used for investing activities
and  the  $15  million  in  net  cash  flow  used  for  financing
activities  are  primarily due to cash uses of $238  million  for
capital expenditures and $17 million from net decreases in debt.

In  the  fourth quarter of 1995, the Company incurred a  net  $25
million  ($16  million  after-tax)  provision  for  restructuring
comprised  of  a $4 million adjustment to the 1994  restructuring
provision and a $29 million restructuring provision for a plan to
achieve  further  cost  reductions.  For  an  analysis   of   the
restructuring provision, see Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements.

During  February  1997, the Financial Accounting Standards  Board
(FASB)  issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard  (SFAS)
No.   128,  "Earning  per  Share,"  effective  for  fiscal  years
beginning  after December 15, 1997.  The impact of this statement
when  adopted,  will  not be material.  In June  1997,  the  FASB
issued  SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," and  SFAS
No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related
Information," effective for fiscal years beginning after December
15,  1997.  The impact of these statements when adopted, will not
be material.

On July 3, 1997, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized
a  plan  to  repurchase  up  to $50 million  of  its  7 1/2  percent
Convertible Subordinated Debentures Due 1999 through  2014.   The
purchases, if and when made, will be in the open market from time
to  time  depending on market conditions.  There is  no  specific
deadline for the program.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - SIX MONTHS

The  Company's net income for the six months ended June 30,  1997
was $89 million, or $.84 per share, as compared to net income  of
$60  million, or $.57 per share for the first six months of 1996.
Revenues for the six months were $609 million in 1997 versus $500
million in 1996.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 11


Item 2.   Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis  of   Financial
          Condition and Results of Operations - continued


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - SIX MONTHS (continued)

Average worldwide net production of crude oil and condensate  for
the six months ended June 30, 1997 was 115 thousand barrels daily
compared to average net production for the six months ended  June
30,  1996  of 100 thousand barrels daily.  Average net production
of  crude oil and condensate was 43 thousand barrels daily in the
United   States  and  72  thousand  barrels  daily  from  foreign
locations during the six months ended June 30, 1997, compared  to
44  thousand  barrels daily in the United States and 56  thousand
barrels daily from foreign locations during the six months  ended
June 30, 1996.  The worldwide crude oil and condensate price  for
the  first  six months of 1997 was $18.87 per barrel compared  to
$18.19 per barrel for the first six months of 1996.

Average  worldwide net production of natural gas was 519  million
cubic feet daily for the six months ended June 30, 1997, compared
to  479 million cubic feet in the six months ended June 30, 1996.
Average net production of natural gas was 509 million cubic  feet
daily  in the United States and 10 million cubic feet daily  from
the  United Kingdom in the first six months of 1997, compared  to
471  million cubic feet daily in the United States and 8  million
cubic feet daily in the United Kingdom in the first six months of
1996.   The  worldwide price of natural gas  for  the  first  six
months  of  1997  was $2.41 per thousand cubic feet  compared  to
$1.99 per thousand cubic feet for the first six months of 1996.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - THREE MONTHS

The  Company's net income for the quarter ended June 30, 1997 was
$23  million, or $.22 per share, as compared to net income of $28
million,  or  $.27  per  share for the same  quarter  last  year.
Revenues  for  the 1997 second quarter were $274  million  versus
$253 million for the 1996 second quarter.

The  1997  second quarter includes a $2 million  charge  for  the
remeasurement of foreign deferred taxes.  By comparison, the 1996
second  quarter included a $1 million net loss from  asset  sales
and  a  $1  million charge for remeasurement of foreign  deferred
taxes.

Compared  to  the  same quarter last year,  worldwide  crude  oil
prices  decreased by $1.22 per barrel and U.S. natural gas prices
increased  by  $.10 per thousand cubic feet.  Crude  oil  volumes
increased  by  12  thousand barrels per day  or  12  percent  and
natural gas volumes increased 29 million cubic feet per day or  6
percent.

Second  quarter unit costs were higher than the same period  last
year  primarily due to higher operating costs, a result of timing
of  U.K. North Sea maintenance and workover activities; increased
exploration   costs,  a  direct  result  of  higher   exploration
activities;  and  increased production taxes, also  in  the  U.K.
North Sea.

Prices  have  decreased from the higher levels  realized  in  the
first  quarter but are still well within our 1997 planning  range
and  should  allow  us  to  fully  execute  our  exploration  and
development  programs.  Exploration activity, which increased  in
the  second quarter, is expected to remain at high levels for the
rest of the year.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 12


Item 2.   Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis  of   Financial
          Condition and Results of Operations - continued


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - THREE MONTHS (continued)

Average worldwide net production of crude oil and condensate  for
the  three  months  ended June 30, 1997 was 111 thousand  barrels
daily  compared  to average net production for the  three  months
ended  June  30, 1996 of 99 thousand barrels daily.  Average  net
production  of  crude oil and condensate was 46 thousand  barrels
daily  in  the United States and 65 thousand barrels  daily  from
foreign  locations during the three months ended June  30,  1997,
compared to 43 thousand barrels daily in the United States and 56
thousand  barrels  daily  from foreign locations  in  the  second
quarter of 1996.  The worldwide crude oil and condensate price in
the  second  quarter  of 1997 was $17.83 per barrel  compared  to
$19.05 per barrel in the second quarter of 1996.

Average  worldwide net production of natural gas was 514  million
cubic  feet  daily  for  the three months ended  June  30,  1997,
compared  to  485  million cubic feet daily in the  three  months
ended  June 30, 1996.  Average net production of natural gas  was
505  million cubic feet daily in the United States and 9  million
cubic feet daily from the United Kingdom in the second quarter of
1997,  compared  to 476 million cubic feet daily  in  the  United
States and 9 million cubic feet daily from the United Kingdom  in
the  second quarter of 1996.  The worldwide price of natural  gas
for  the second quarter of 1997 was $2.06 per thousand cubic feet
compared  to $1.96 per thousand cubic feet in the second  quarter
of 1996.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 13

                             PART II
                                
                        OTHER INFORMATION



Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

        (a) Exhibits:

               12   Computation of Consolidated Ratio of Earnings
                    to Fixed Charges and Earnings to Fixed Charges and
                    Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements.

               15   Accountant's  letter  regarding  unaudited
                    interim financial information.

               27   Financial Data Schedule.





        (b) Reports on Form 8-K:

            The  Company  did  not file any reports  on  Form  8-K
            during the quarter ended June 30, 1997.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 14

                            SIGNATURE



Pursuant  to the requirements of the Securities Exchange  Act  of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed  on
its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


      ORYX ENERGY COMPANY





BY:   /s/ E. W. Moneypenny
      E. W. Moneypenny
      (Executive Vice President,
       Finance, and Chief Financial Officer)



DATE: July 29, 1997
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 15

                                                       EXHIBIT 12
                       ORYX ENERGY COMPANY
          COMPUTATION OF CONSOLIDATED RATIO OF EARNINGS
  TO FIXED CHARGES AND EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED
           STOCK DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS - UNAUDITED (a)

                      (Millions of Dollars)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                              Three Months     Six Months
                                               Ended June 30  Ended June 30
                                                    1997          1997
<S>                                           <C>             <C>
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES:
Fixed Charges:
 Consolidated interest cost and debt expense       $  28        $  55
 Interest allocable to rental expense (b)              2            3
                                                   -----        -----
   Total                                           $  30        $  58
                                                   =====        =====
Earnings:
 Consolidated income before provision for income
   taxes                                           $  35        $ 132
 Fixed charges                                        30           58
 Interest capitalized                                 (3)          (8)
  Amortization of previously capitalized interest      1            2
                                                   -----        -----
   Total                                           $  63        $ 184
                                                   =====        =====
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges                  2.10         3.17
                                                   =====        =====
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK
  DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS:
Fixed Charges:
 Consolidated interest cost and debt expense       $  28        $  55
 Preferred stock dividend requirements                 -            -
 Interest allocable to rental expense (b)              2            3
                                                   -----        -----
   Total                                           $  30        $  58
                                                   =====        =====
Earnings:
 Consolidated income before provision for income
   taxes                                           $  35        $ 132
 Fixed charges                                        30           58
 Interest capitalized                                 (3)          (8)
  Amortization  of previously capitalized  interest    1            2
                                                   -----        -----
   Total                                           $  63        $ 184
                                                   =====        =====
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges                  2.10         3.17
                                                   =====        =====
</TABLE>

(a)  The consolidated financial statements of Oryx Energy Company
     include  the  accounts  of all subsidiaries  (more  than  50
     percent owned and/or controlled).

(b)  Represents one-third of total operating lease rental expense
     which is that portion deemed to be interest.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 16

                                                       EXHIBIT 15


Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, Northwest
Washington, D.C.  20549
Attn.:  Document Control

Re:  Oryx Energy Company Form 10-Q

We are aware that our report dated July 29, 1997 on our review of
the  interim condensed consolidated balance sheet of Oryx  Energy
Company  and  its Subsidiaries as of June 30, 1997,  the  related
condensed consolidated statements of income for the three and six
months  ended  June 30, 1997 and 1996, and the related  condensed
consolidated  statements of cash flows for the six  months  ended
June  30,  1997  and  1996,  included  in  this  Form  10-Q,   is
incorporated   by   reference  in  the   following   registration
statements:

                                                        Registration No.
On Form S-3 for:

  Oryx Energy Company $500,000,000 Debt Securities;
  Preferred Stock; and Common Stock                            33-45611

  Oryx Energy Company $600,000,000 Debt Securities             33-33361

  Oryx Energy Company 7,259,394 shares of Common Stock         33-36799

On Form S-8 for:

  Oryx Energy Company 1992 Long-Term Incentive Plan            33-42695

  Oryx Energy Company Long-Term Incentive Plan                 33-25032

  Oryx Energy Company Capital Accumulation Plan                33-24918

  Oryx Energy Company Equity and Deferred Compensation
  Plan for Non-Employee Directors                             333-03075

  Oryx Energy Company Executive Variable Incentive Plan       333-03089

  Oryx Energy Company 1997 Long-Term Incentive Plan           333-26563


Pursuant  to Rule 436(c) under the Securities Act of  1933,  this
report  should  not  be  considered a part  of  the  registration
statement  prepared  or  certified by us within  the  meaning  of
Sections 7 and 11 of that Act.


            /s/ COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.


Dallas, Texas
July 29, 1997
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