COMSTOCK RESOURCES INC
10-K, 1997-03-11
CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

(Mark One)
                ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
   X                   THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                   For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996

                                       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 No. 0-16741

                            COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           NEVADA                                                94-1667468
(State or other jurisdiction of                               (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                            Identification Number)

                   5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1000, Dallas, Texas
                  75244 (Address of principal executive offices
                               including zip code)

                                 (972) 701-2000
                  (Registrant's telephone number and area code)

           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 Common Stock, $.50 Par Value                           New York Stock Exchange
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights                         New York Stock Exchange
       (Title of class)                                  (Name of exchange on
                                                           which registered)

        Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

     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


     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K. [ X ]

     As of March  10,  1997,  there  were  24,154,903  shares  of  common  stock
outstanding.

     As of March 10, 1997,  the aggregate  market value of the voting stock held
by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $234,375,334. (Such amount
excludes  privately  held  convertible  preferred  stock  which  votes  on an as
converted basis with common stock.)

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

     The  information  required  by Part III of this report is  incorporated  by
reference  from  registrant's  definitive  proxy  statement  for its 1997 annual
meeting of stockholders (to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
not later than April 30, 1997).


<PAGE>



                            COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.

                                    FORM 10-K

                   For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1996




                                    CONTENTS

                                                                          Page
                                     Part I

     Items 1 and 2. Business and Properties ...............................3
     Item 3         Legal Proceedings ....................................17
     Item 4         Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders ..17

                                     Part II

     Item 5.        Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related
                         Stockholder Matters..............................18
     Item 6.        Selected Historical Financial Data....................19
     Item 7.        Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                         Condition and Results of Operations..............20
     Item 8.        Financial Statements .................................25
     Item 9.        Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
                         Accounting and Financial Disclosure..............25

                                    Part III

     Item 10.       Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant ...26
     Item 11.       Executive Compensation ...............................26
     Item 12.       Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
                         and Management...................................26
     Item 13.       Certain Relationships and Related Transactions........26

                                     Part IV

     Item 14.       Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K .....................27


                                        1

<PAGE>



                                   DEFINITIONS

                             As Used in This Report:


"Bbl" means a barrel of 42 U.S.  gallons of oil.

"Bcf" means one billion cubic feet of natural gas.

"Bcfe" means one billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent.

"EBITDA"  means income (loss) from  continuing  operations  before income taxes,
plus interest, depreciation,  depletion and amortization,  impairment of oil and
gas properties and exploration.

"MBbls" means one thousand barrels of oil.

"Mcf" means one thousand cubic feet of natural gas.

"Mcfe" means thousand cubic feet of natural gas equivalent.

"MMBbls" means one million of barrels of oil.

"MMcf" means one million cubic feet of natural gas.

"MMcfe" means one million cubic feet of natural gas equivalent.

"Present Value of Proved  Reserves" means the present value of estimated  future
revenues to be generated  from the production of proved  reserves  calculated in
accordance  with the Securities  and Exchange  Commission's  guidelines,  net of
estimated future production and development  costs, using prices and costs as of
the date of  estimation  without  future  escalation,  without  giving effect to
future income taxes, and discounted using an annual discount rate of 10%.



     All statements  other than  statements of historical fact contained in this
report,  including  statements  in  "Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis  of
Financial  Condition and Results of Operations"  and "Business and  Properties,"
are  forward-looking  statements.  Forward-looking  statements  in  this  report
generally are accompanied by words such as "anticipate,"  "believe," "estimate,"
"expect,"  "intend,"  "plan,"  "project"  or similar  statements.  Although  the
Company  believes  that  the  expectations  reflected  in  such  forward-looking
statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will
prove  correct.  Factors  that  could  cause  the  Company's  results  to differ
materially  from  the  results  discussed  in  such  forward-looking  statements
include,  among other things, such as the fluctuations of the prices received or
demand for the Company's oil and natural gas,  acquisition  risks,  requirements
for capital,  the ability to replace  depleting  reserves,  the  uncertainty  of
drilling  results and reserve  estimates,  drilling  risks,  operating  hazards,
competition and the effects of governmental and  environmental  regulation.  All
forward-looking  statements  in this  report are  expressly  qualified  in their
entirety by the cautionary statements in this paragraph.


                                        2

<PAGE>


                                     PART I

ITEMS 1. AND 2.  BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES

General

     Comstock Resources, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the "Company") is
an  independent   energy  company  engaged  in  the  acquisition,   development,
production and exploration of oil and natural gas properties. As of December 31,
1996,  the Company had proved oil and natural gas reserves of 288.4 Bcfe with an
estimated  Present Value of Proved Reserves of $502.9 million.  On a Bcfe basis,
these  reserves  were 81%  natural  gas and 79% proved  developed.  The  Company
believes that its primary  strengths  include (i) its ability to acquire oil and
natural gas properties at attractive  costs,  (ii) its high quality,  long-lived
reserve base, of which 93% is concentrated in Southeast Texas,  East Texas/North
Louisiana and the Texas Gulf Coast, and (iii) its ability to efficiently operate
and develop its oil and natural gas properties.

     The  Company  has grown  primarily  through the  acquisition  of  producing
properties.  Since 1991 the Company has added 355.6 Bcfe from 16 acquisitions at
a total cost of $222.0  million,  or $0.62 per Mcfe.  The  Company's two largest
acquisitions  to date have been its  purchase of  properties  from Sonat Inc. in
July 1995 for a net purchase  price of $48.1  million (the "Sonat  Acquisition")
and its  acquisition  of Black Stone Oil Company and  interests  in the Double A
Wells field in May 1996 for a net purchase  price of $100.4  million (the "Black
Stone  Acquisition").  Primarily  as  a  result  of  the  Company's  acquisition
activities,  (i) average net daily production  increased from 22.2 MMcfe in 1994
to 68.9 MMcfe in 1996 and (ii) EBITDA  increased  from $9.9  million for 1994 to
$54.9 million for 1996.

     While  continuing  to  pursue  attractive  acquisitions,  the  Company  has
recently increased its focus on the exploitation and development of its existing
properties  through the implementation of operational  improvements,  workovers,
recompletions and the drilling of development and exploratory wells. During 1996
the Company spent $11.4 million on development  and exploration  activities.  As
part of its  increased  emphasis on such  activities,  the  Company  anticipates
spending  approximately  $30.0 million on currently  identified  development and
exploration projects in 1997.

Business Strategy

     The  Company's  strategy  is to  increase  cash flow and net asset value by
acquiring oil and natural gas properties at attractive  costs and developing its
reserves.  In  addition,  the Company  intends to pursue  selective  exploration
opportunities  in its core  operating  areas.  The key elements of the Company's
business strategy are to:

  Acquire High Quality Properties at Attractive Costs

     The  Company has a  successful  track  record of  increasing  its  reserves
through  opportunistic  acquisitions.  The Company  applies strict  economic and
reserve risk criteria in evaluating  acquisitions  and targets  properties  with
established  production  where it can obtain  operational  control and  increase
production  and  reserves  through  exploitation  activities.  The  Black  Stone
Acquisition  and  the  Sonat   Acquisition  have  significant   development  and
exploration potential and were acquired at costs per Mcfe of the proved reserves
acquired  equal to $0.74 and $0.44,  respectively.  Due to its experience in its
core  operating  areas,  the Company  believes it is better able to identify and
evaluate potential acquisitions and negotiate and close selected acquisitions on
favorable terms.

                                        3

<PAGE>


  Operate Properties

     The Company  prefers to operate the properties it acquires,  allowing it to
exercise greater control over the timing and plans for future  development,  the
level of drilling  and lifting  costs,  and the  marketing  of  production.  The
Company operates properties comprising approximately 84% of its Present Value of
Proved Reserves as of December 31, 1996.

  Maintain Low Cost Structure

     The Company seeks to increase cash flow by carefully  controlling operating
costs and general and administrative  expenses. The Company targets acquisitions
that possess,  among other  characteristics,  low per unit operating  costs.  In
addition,  the  Company  has been able to  reduce  per unit  operating  costs by
eliminating  unnecessary  field and  corporate  overhead  costs and by divesting
properties  that  have  high  lifting  costs  with  little  future   development
potential.  Through  these  efforts,  the Company's  general and  administrative
expense and average oil and gas  operating  costs per Mcfe have  decreased  from
$0.19 and $0.75, respectively,  for 1994 to $0.09 and $0.55,  respectively,  for
1996.

  Exploit Existing Reserves

     The Company  seeks to maximize the value of its  properties  by  increasing
production and recoverable  reserves through active  workover,  recompletion and
exploitation  activities.  The Company utilizes  advanced  industry  technology,
including 3-D seismic data,  magnetic  resonance imaging logging tools and newly
developed   formation   stimulation   techniques.   During  1996,   the  Company
participated in the drilling of 20 development  and exploration  wells. In 1997,
the Company expects to spend approximately $30.0 million to drill 48 development
and exploration wells that the Company has currently identified.

  Pursue Selective Exploration Opportunities

     The Company  pursues  selective  exploration  activities to find additional
reserves on its undeveloped acreage and anticipates  spending  approximately 15%
of its 1997 drilling budget on exploration. The Company recently completed a 3-D
seismic  survey in the East White Point  field  along the Texas Gulf  Coast.  In
January 1997, the Company participated in drilling a successful exploratory well
in the East Point  field and plans to  participate  in the  drilling of a deeper
exploratory  test  well  in  the  first  half  of  1997.  The  Company  is  also
participating in the exploration of undeveloped  acreage near its Double A Wells
field in Southeast  Texas and intends to participate  in 3-D seismic  surveys on
its offshore leases in the Gulf of Mexico in 1997.

     The  Company's  executive  offices are located at 5005 LBJ  Freeway,  Suite
1000, Dallas, Texas 75244, and its telephone number is (972) 701-2000.

                                        4

<PAGE>


Oil and Natural Gas Reserves

     The  following  tables set forth the  estimated  proved oil and natural gas
reserves of the Company and the Present Value of Proved  Reserves as of December
31, 1996:

                                                                   Present
                                                                  Value of
                                     Oil       Gas       Total     Proved
Category                           (MBbls)   (Mmcf)     (Mmcfe)   Reserves
- --------                           -------   ------     -------   --------
                                                                   (000's)

Proved developed producing          5,690    133,745    167,885   $336,928
Proved developed non-producing      1,263     53,502     61,080     72,058
Proved undeveloped                  2,041     47,197     59,443     93,932
                                   ------   --------   --------   --------
  Total proved                      8,994    234,444    288,408   $502,918
                                   ======   ========   ========   ========

     There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating oil and natural gas
reserves and their  values,  including  many  factors  beyond the control of the
producer.  The reserve data set forth above represents  estimates only.  Reserve
engineering is a subjective process of estimating  underground  accumulations of
oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact manner.  The accuracy of
any  reserve  estimate is a function  of the  quality of  available  data and of
engineering and geological  interpretation and judgment. As a result,  estimates
of different engineers may vary. In addition,  estimates of reserves are subject
to revision based on the results of drilling,  testing and production subsequent
to the date of such estimate. Accordingly, reserve estimates are often different
from the quantities of oil and gas reserves that are ultimately recovered.

     In general,  the volume of production  from oil and natural gas  properties
declines as reserves  are  depleted.  Except to the extent the Company  acquires
properties  containing  proved reserves or conducts  successful  exploration and
development  activities,  the proved  reserves  of the Company  will  decline as
reserves are produced.  The Company's  future oil and natural gas production is,
therefore,  highly  dependent  upon its level of success in acquiring or finding
additional reserves.

Primary Operating Areas

     The Company's activities are concentrated in three primary operating areas:
Southeast  Texas,  East  Texas/North  Louisiana  and the Texas Gulf  Coast.  The
Company also owns interests in the Gulf of Mexico,  South Louisiana,  West Texas
and Mississippi.  The following table summarizes the Company's  estimated proved
oil and gas reserves by field as of December 31, 1996.  The Company's 20 largest
fields,  as listed below,  represent  approximately 95% of the Company's Present
Value of Proved Reserves as of such date.

                                        5

<PAGE>


                               Net Oil   Net Gas   Present Value of
   Field                       (MBbls)    (MMcf)    Proved Reserves  Percentage
   -----                       -------    ------    ---------------  ----------
                                                    (In thousands)

Southeast Texas
  Double A Wells                5,407     92,774       $ 256,515           51%

East Texas/North Louisiana
  Logansport                       76     20,888          33,746
  Waskom                          303     18,915          27,550
  Beckville                       159     24,775          27,528
  Blocker                          67     15,126          23,072
  Longwood                        147      9,356          14,776
  Ada                              11      4,457          10,620
  Sugar Creek                      79      5,487           8,484
  Hico Knowles                     53      2,962           5,837
  Simsboro                          4      3,677           5,256
  Box Church                        3      5,668           5,118
  Sligo                            12      2,428           4,174
  Other                            31      1,935           4,575
                             --------   --------         -------
                                  945    115,674         170,736           34%
                             --------   --------        --------

Texas Gulf Coast
  East White Point              1,102      2,973          15,483
  El Campo                        154      2,545           6,271
  Redmond Creek                   136      1,468           5,019
  Mustang Island                   39      2,163           3,862
  Other                           130      3,597           7,872
                             --------   --------         -------
                                1,561     12,746          38,507            8%
                             --------   --------         -------

Other Areas
  West Cameron Block 238            4      3,346           8,687
  Main Pass Blocks 21/25          485        628           6,266
  Ship Shoal Block 66             305        191           5,867
  Lake LaRose                      18      3,043           4,426
  Other                           269      6,042          11,914
                             --------   --------        --------
                                1,081     13,250          37,160            7%
                             --------   --------        --------         ----
         Total                  8,994    234,444        $502,918          100% 
                             ========   ========        ========         ====
                                                       
  Southeast Texas

     The Company's largest concentration of proved reserves, representing 51% of
the  Company's  Present  Value of Proved  Reserves as of December 31,  1996,  is
located in the Double A Wells field in Polk  County,  Texas.  The  Company  owns
interests in 23 producing wells (8.8 net) in this field and operates 22 of these
wells.  The field  includes high volume wells  producing from the Upper Woodbine
formation  with average gross  production of 101.7 MMcf per day and 7.1 MBbls of
oil per day in December  1996.  Since its  acquisition  of the  properties,  the
Company has  participated in drilling an exploratory dry hole and has drilled or
participated  in  four  successful   development   wells  and  one  unsuccessful
development  well.  The Company is  currently  drilling  one  development  well.
Additional  wells in the Double A Wells field are planned during 1997 to further
delineate the field.  The Company is currently  participating in the exploration
of undeveloped acreage near the Double A Wells field.

                                        6

<PAGE>


  East Texas/North Louisiana

     The second  largest  concentration  of the  Company's  proved  reserves  is
located in East Texas/North Louisiana,  and constitutes 34% of its Present Value
of Proved  Reserves as of December 31, 1996.  The Company owns  interests in 343
producing  wells (190.1 net) in 19 fields,  including  the  Logansport,  Waskom,
Beckville,  Blocker,  Longwood,  Ada, Sugar Creek, Hico Knowles,  Simsboro,  Box
Church,  and  Sligo  fields.  A major  portion  of the  Company's  reserves  are
contained in the Travis Peak  (Hosston in  Louisiana)  formation  and the Cotton
Valley  formation,  which  exhibit  several  thousand  feet  of sand  and  shale
sequences.  The majority of the  Company's  1997  drilling  program will involve
additional  infill  drilling to the Travis Peak and Cotton Valley  formations in
this  area  enhanced  by  applying  new  hydraulic   fracturing  and  completion
techniques and new magnetic resonance imaging logging tools.

     The Company  operates 60 wells and owns interests in 29 additional wells in
the Logansport  field in DeSoto  Parish,  Louisiana.  The Logansport  field area
produces  from  multiple  zones in the  Hosston  formation.  In 1996 the Company
initiated an infill drilling program to develop proved undeveloped reserves from
the  Hosston  sands.   The  Company  has  participated  in  drilling  12  infill
development  wells  in  1996,  11  of  which  were  successful,   and  currently
anticipates drilling six additional infill development wells in 1997.

     The  Company  operates  approximately  160 wells and owns  interests  in 50
additional  wells in the  Waskom,  Beckville,  Blocker  and  Longwood  fields in
Northwest  Louisiana and Northeast  Texas.  During 1996, the Company drilled two
successful Travis Peak infill wells in the Longwood field drilled two successful
Cotton  Valley wells in the Blocker  field.  The Company  currently  anticipates
drilling 10 Cotton Valley development wells in this area in 1997.

  Texas Gulf Coast

     The Company's third largest  operating area is the Texas Gulf Coast region.
The Company owns  interests in 68 producing  wells (36.8 net) in 10 fields,  the
largest  of which are the East  White  Point,  El Campo,  Redmond  Creek and the
Mustang  Island fields.  Reserves in the Texas Gulf Coast area  constitute 8% of
the Company's  Present Value of Proved  Reserves as of December 31, 1996.  Major
producing formations include the Frio,  Vicksburg,  Yegua and Wilcox formations.
The  Company's  interest in this area  focuses on fields that lie along the Frio
trend.  The  Company  believes  potential  exists  through  the  use of  current
technology for additional oil and natural gas recovery in the older fields along
this  trend,  particularly  in the deeper  formations.  Due to their  structural
complexity,  many of these fields are good candidates for the use of 3-D seismic
technology  that can better  define fault blocks and  stratigraphic  features in
order to more completely develop the remaining reserves.

     In 1995,  the Company and  Marathon Oil Company  formed a joint  venture to
shoot 3-D seismic  data on  approximately  10,000  acres in the East White Point
area of Nueces Bay. The Company retained a 29% interest in wells to be developed
under the joint  venture.  The Company  participated  in  drilling a  successful
exploratory well in January 1997 which discovered reserves in the Brigham (Frio)
sand. The Company plans to participate in a deeper well which will test the deep
Frio sand in the first half of 1997.

                                        7

<PAGE>


Acquisition Activities

  Acquisition Strategy

     The Company has concentrated  its acquisition  activity in Southeast Texas,
East  Texas/North  Louisiana and the Texas Gulf Coast regions.  Using a strategy
that  capitalizes on management's  strong knowledge of, and experience in, these
regions, the Company seeks to selectively pursue acquisition opportunities where
the Company can evaluate  the assets to be acquired in rigorous  detail prior to
transaction  completion.  The Company  evaluates a large  number of  prospective
properties  according  to  certain  internal  criteria,   including  established
production  and  the  properties'   potential  for  operating  control,   future
development potential and low operating costs.

  Major Property Acquisitions

     As a result of its acquisitions, the Company has added 355.6 Bcfe of proved
oil and natural gas reserves since 1991 as summarized in the following table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Present    Acquisition
                                                                  Value of     Cost as a
                                                                   Proved     Percentage
                                                                  Reserves    of Present
         Acquisition                                 Acquisition    When       Value of
            Cost    Proved Reserves When Acquired(1)   Cost Per   Acquired      Proved
Year       (000's)    (MBbls)    (MMcf)    (MMcfe)       Mcfe    (000's)(1)    Reserves
          --------   --------   --------   --------     -----     --------     --------

<S>       <C>           <C>      <C>        <C>         <C>       <C>             <C>
1996      $100,446      5,930    100,446    136,027     $0.74     $282,150        36%
1995        56,081      1,859    108,432    119,586      0.47       85,706        65%
1994        12,970        388     12,744     15,074      0.86       14,050        92%
1993(2)     26,928      2,250     28,349     41,848      0.64       33,502        80%
1992(2)      4,730         44      8,821      9,086      0.52        8,474        56%
1991        20,862        689     29,868     34,002      0.61       27,298        76%
          --------   --------   --------   --------     -----     --------     ------
Total     $222,017     11,160    288,660    355,623     $0.62     $451,180        49%
          ========   ========   ========   ========     =====     ========     ======
</TABLE>

     (1)  Based on reserve  estimates and prices at the end of the year in which
          the  acquisition  occurred,  as adjusted to reflect actual  production
          from the closing date of the respective acquisition to such year end.

     (2)  1992 and 1993 amounts do not include amounts for acquisitions  made by
          Stanford  prior to its  acquisition  by the Company,  whereas  amounts
          presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements include amounts for
          acquisitions  made by Stanford prior to its acquisition by the Company
          in accordance with the pooling of interests method of accounting.

     Of the 16 property  acquisitions  completed by the Company since 1991, four
acquisitions  described below account for 85% of the total  acquisition cost and
total reserves acquired.

     Black Stone  Acquisition.  In May 1996,  the Company  acquired  100% of the
capital  stock of Black  Stone  Oil  Company  and  interests  in  producing  and
undeveloped oil and gas properties located in Southeast Texas for a net purchase
price of $100.4 million.  The Company  acquired  interests in 19 wells (7.7 net)
that are  located in the Double A Wells field in Polk  County,  Texas and is the
operator of the field.  The net proved  reserves  acquired were estimated at 5.9
MMBbls of oil and 100.4 Bcf of natural gas.

     Sonat Acquisition. In July 1995, the Company purchased interests in certain
producing oil and gas properties  located in East Texas and North Louisiana from
Sonat Inc.  for a net  purchase  price of $48.1  million.  The Company  acquired
interests in 319 producing wells (188.0 net). The acquisition included interests


                                        8

<PAGE>


in the  Logansport,  Waskom,  Beckville,  Blocker,  Longwood,  Hico  Knowles and
Simsboro fields.  The net proved reserves  acquired were estimated at 0.8 MMBbls
of oil and 104.7 Bcf of natural gas.

     Stanford  Acquisition.  In  November 1993, the  Company  acquired  Stanford
Offshore  Energy,  Inc.  ("Stanford")  through  a  merger  with a  wholly  owned
subsidiary, which now operates under the name Comstock Offshore Energy, Inc. The
Stanford  stockholders  were issued an aggregate  of 1,760,000  shares of common
stock of the Company in the merger  with a total  value of $6.2  million and the
Company  assumed  approximately  $16.5  million  of  indebtedness  of  Stanford.
Stanford had interests in 107 producing wells (58.8 net) located primarily along
the Texas Gulf Coast and  offshore  Gulf of Mexico.  Major  properties  acquired
include  interests in the East White  Point,  Redmond  Creek and Mustang  Island
fields  located on the Texas Gulf Coast and West  Cameron  Block 238 in offshore
Gulf of Mexico. The net proved reserves acquired were estimated at 1.0 MMBbls of
oil and 17.8 Bcf of natural gas.

     Goodrich  Acquisition.  In November 1991, the Company acquired interests in
57 producing wells (27.3 net) located in 22 fields  primarily in North and South
Louisiana  and East Texas from  Goodrich Oil Company and certain  other  working
interest  owners  for a net  purchase  price  of  $18.3  million.  Major  fields
purchased in this  acquisition  include the Ada, Sugar Creek and Sligo fields in
North Louisiana and the Box Church field in East Texas.  The net proved reserves
acquired were estimated at 0.7 MMBbls of oil and 26.8 Bcf of natural gas.

Drilling Activity Summary

     During the three-year  period ended December 31, 1996, the Company  drilled
or  participated  in the drilling of development  and  exploratory  wells as set
forth in the table below:

                                          Year Ended December 31,
                                 1994             1995             1996
                                 ----             ----             ----
                            Gross    Net     Gross    Net     Gross    Net
                            -----   ----     -----   ----     -----   ----
    Development Wells:
         Oil                  -       -          2    0.5         2    1.0
         Gas                    2    0.6         9    2.4        16    8.4
         Dry                  -       -          2    0.7         1    1.0
                             ----   ----      ----   ----      ----   ----
                                2    0.6        13    3.6        19   10.4
                             ----   ----      ----   ----      ----   ----
    Exploratory Wells:
         Oil                  -       -        -      -         -       -
         Gas                  -       -        -      -         -       -
         Dry                  -       -        -      -           1    0.2
                             ----   ----      ----   ----      ----   ----
                              -       -        -      -           1    0.2
                             ----   ----      ----   ----      ----   ----
    Total Wells                 2    0.6        13    3.6        20   10.6
                             ====   ====      ====   ====      ====   ====

     As of  December  31,  1996,  four  development  wells  (1.5  net)  and  one
exploratory well (.3 net) were in the process of being drilled.  All five of the
wells were  successful.  Subsequent to December 31, 1996, the Company  commenced
drilling or participated in drilling seven  development  wells (3.1 net) and two
exploratory  wells (.6 net). Two of the seven development wells were successful,
one was a dry hole and the remaining four were still in the process of drilling.
One of the exploratory wells was a dry hole and the other was successful.

                                        9

<PAGE>


Producing Well Summary

     The following  table sets forth the gross and net producing oil and natural
gas wells in which the Company owned an interest at December 31, 1996.

                                      Oil                 Gas
                                Gross    Net         Gross    Net
                                -----   -----        -----   -----
         Texas                     39    20.5          268   140.5
         Louisiana                 26    10.0          171    84.3
         Federal Offshore           -      -            23    10.4
         Mississippi                1     0.1            2     0.3
                                 ----   -----         ----   -----
              Total wells          66    30.6          464   235.5
                                 ====   =====         ====   =====

     The Company  operates 302 of the 530 producing wells presented in the above
table.

Acreage

     The following  table  summarizes  the Company's  developed and  undeveloped
leasehold  acreage  at  December  31,  1996.  Excluded  is  acreage in which the
Company's interest is limited to royalty or similar interests.

                                  Developed                 Undeveloped
                             Gross        Net          Gross          Net
                           -------      -------        ------       ------

 Texas                     169,519      121,790        31,966       13,304
 Louisiana                  77,756       57,259           296           48
 Federal Offshore           12,160        5,760          -            -
 Mississippi                 1,360          210          -            -
 Utah                       -            -             19,118        1,912
                           -------      -------        ------       ------
 Total                     260,795      185,019        51,380       15,264
                           =======      =======        ======       ======


     Title to the  Company's  oil and  natural  gas  properties  is  subject  to
royalty, overriding royalty, carried and other similar interests and contractual
arrangements customary in the oil and gas industry,  liens incident to operating
agreements and for current taxes not yet due, and other minor encumbrances.  All
of the Company's oil and natural gas properties are pledged as collateral  under
the Company's bank credit facility. As is customary in the oil and gas industry,
the Company is generally  able to retain its ownership  interest in  undeveloped
acreage by production of existing wells, by drilling  activity which establishes
commercial  reserves  sufficient  to  maintain  the lease or by payment of delay
rentals.

Markets and Customers

     The market for oil and  natural  gas  produced  by the  Company  depends on
factors  beyond its control,  including  the extent of domestic  production  and
imports of oil and  natural  gas,  the  proximity  and  capacity  of natural gas
pipelines and other transportation  facilities,  demand for oil and natural gas,
the  marketing  of  competitive  fuels  and the  effects  of state  and  federal
regulation.  The oil and gas industry  also  competes  with other  industries in
supplying  the  energy  and fuel  requirements  of  industrial,  commercial  and
individual consumers.

                                       10

<PAGE>

     Substantially all of the Company's natural gas production is sold either on
the spot gas market on a  month-to-month  basis at prevailing spot market prices
or under  long-term  contracts  based on current  spot  market gas  prices.  Gas
production  from the  Company's  Double A Wells  field is sold under a long-term
contract to HPL  Resources  Company,  a subsidiary of Enron Corp.  ("HPL").  The
agreement with HPL is for a term expiring on October 31, 2000 with pricing based
on a percentage of spot gas prices for natural gas delivered to the Houston Ship
Channel.  Total gas sales in 1996 to HPL accounted for  approximately 31% of the
Company's 1996 oil and gas sales.

     The Company  enters into  natural gas price swap  agreements  to reduce its
exposure  to  natural  gas  price  fluctuations.  In 1996,  the  Company  hedged
approximately 15% of its natural gas production.  The Company currently has none
of its natural gas production hedged.

     All of the  Company's  oil  production  is sold at the well  site at posted
field prices tied to the spot oil markets.  Sales of oil  production to Scurlock
Permian  Corporation,  a subsidiary of Ashland Inc., accounted for approximately
17% of the Company's 1996 oil and gas sales.


Competition

     The oil and gas industry is highly  competitive.  Competitors include major
oil companies,  other independent energy companies, and individual producers and
operators,  many of which have  financial  resources,  personnel and  facilities
substantially  greater  than those of the  Company.  The Company  faces  intense
competition for the acquisition of oil and natural gas properties.

Regulation

     The  Company's  operations  are  regulated  by  certain  federal  and state
agencies.  In particular,  oil and natural gas production and related operations
are or have been subject to price controls, taxes and other laws relating to the
oil and natural gas industry.  The Company  cannot predict how existing laws and
regulations may be interpreted by enforcement agencies or court rulings, whether
additional laws and regulations will be adopted,  or the effect such changes may
have on its business or financial condition.

     The  Company's  oil and natural  gas  exploration,  production  and related
operations  are  subject  to  extensive  rules and  regulations  promulgated  by
federal,  state and  local  agencies.  Failure  to  comply  with such  rules and
regulations can result in substantial  penalties.  The regulatory  burden on the
oil and gas industry  increases the Company's cost of doing business and affects
its profitability.  Because such rules and regulations are frequently amended or
reinterpreted,  the  Company is unable to predict  the future  cost or impact of
complying with such laws.

     The states of Texas and Louisiana require permits for drilling  operations,
drilling bonds and reports  concerning  operations and impose other requirements
relating to the exploration and production of oil and gas. Such states also have
statutes or regulations  addressing  conservation matters,  including provisions
for  the  unitization  or  pooling  of  oil  and  natural  gas  properties,  the
establishment  of  maximum  rates of  production  from oil and gas wells and the
regulation of spacing,  plugging and abandonment of such wells. The statutes and
regulations  of  certain  states  limit  the  rate at  which  oil and gas can be
produced from the Company's properties.

     Sales of  natural  gas by the  Company  are not  regulated  and are made at
market  prices.  However,  the Federal  Energy  Regulatory  Commission  ("FERC")

                                       11
<PAGE>

regulates interstate and certain intrastate natural gas transportation rates and
service  conditions,  which affect the  marketing of natural gas produced by the
Company,  as well as the  revenues  received  by the  Company  for sales of such
production. Since the mid-1980s, FERC has issued a series of orders, culminating
in Order  Nos.  636,  636-A and 636-B  ("Order  636"),  that have  significantly
altered  the  marketing  and   transportation  of  gas.  Order  636  mandates  a
fundamental  restructuring  of  interstate  pipeline  sales  and  transportation
service,  including  the  unbundling  by  interstate  pipelines  of  the  sales,
transportation,  storage and other  components of the city-gate  sales  services
such  pipelines  previously  performed.  One of FERC's  purposes  in issuing the
orders  was to  increase  competition  within  all  phases  of the  natural  gas
industry.  Order 636 and  subsequent  FERC orders issued in individual  pipeline
restructuring proceedings have been the subject of appeals, the results of which
have generally been supportive of the FERC's  open-access  policy.  Earlier this
year the United  States  Court of Appeals for the  District of Columbia  Circuit
largely upheld Order No. 636, et seq. Because further review of certain of these
orders is still possible,  and other appeals remain pending,  it is difficult to
predict the ultimate  impact of the orders on the Company and its gas  marketing
efforts.  Generally,  Order 636 has  eliminated  or  substantially  reduced  the
interstate  pipelines'  traditional  role as wholesalers of natural gas, and has
substantially increased competition and volatility in natural gas markets. While
significant regulatory uncertainty remains, Order 636 may ultimately enhance the
Company's  ability to market and transport its gas, although it may also subject
the Company to greater  competition and the more restrictive  pipeline imbalance
tolerances and greater associated penalties for violation of such tolerances.

     Sales of oil and natural gas liquids by the Company are not  regulated  and
are made at market prices. The price the Company receives from the sale of these
products  is  affected  by the cost of  transporting  the  products  to  market.
Effective as of January 1, 1995, FERC  implemented  regulations  establishing an
indexing  system for  transportation  rates for  interstate  common  carrier oil
pipelines,  which,  generally,  would index such rates to inflation,  subject to
certain conditions and limitations. These regulations could increase the cost of
transporting oil and natural gas liquids by interstate  pipelines,  although the
most  recent  adjustment  generally  decreased  rates.  These  regulations  have
generally been approved on judicial  review.  The Company is not able to predict
with certainty  what effect,  if any,  these  regulations  will have on it, but,
other  factors being equal,  the  regulations  may, over time,  tend to increase
transportation costs or reduce wellhead prices for oil and natural liquids.

     The  Company  is  required  to  comply  with  various   federal  and  state
regulations regarding plugging and abandonment of oil and natural gas wells. The
Company provides reserves for the estimated costs of plugging and abandoning its
wells, to the extent such costs exceed the estimated salvage value of the wells,
on a unit of production basis.

  Environmental

     Various  federal,  state  and  local  laws and  regulations  governing  the
discharge  of  materials  into the  environment,  or  otherwise  relating to the
protection  of  the  environment,   health  and  safety,  affect  the  Company's
operations and costs. These laws and regulations  sometimes require governmental
authorization  before certain  activities,  limit or prohibit  other  activities
because of  protected  areas or  species,  impose  substantial  liabilities  for
pollution related to Company operations or properties, and provide penalties for
noncompliance.  In particular, the Company's drilling and production operations,
its activities in connection  with storage and  transportation  of crude oil and
other liquid hydrocarbons, and its use of facilities for treating, processing or
otherwise  handling  hydrocarbons and related  exploration and production wastes
are  subject  to  stringent  environmental  regulation.  As  with  the  industry
generally,  compliance with existing and anticipated  regulations  increases the

                                       12
<PAGE>


Company's overall cost of business. While these regulations affect the Company's
capital expenditures and earnings, the Company believes that such regulations do
not affect its competitive  position in the industry because its competitors are
similarly   affected  by  environmental   regulatory   programs.   Environmental
regulations have  historically  been subject to frequent change and,  therefore,
the Company is  potentially  unable to predict the future  costs or other future
impacts of environmental  regulations on its future  operations.  A discharge of
hydrocarbons  or hazardous  substances  into the  environment  could subject the
Company to  substantial  expense,  including the cost to comply with  applicable
regulations  that require a response to the  discharge,  such as  containment or
cleanup,  claims by  neighboring  landowners or other third parties for personal
injury, property damage or their response costs and penalties assessed, or other
claims sought, by regulatory  agencies for response cost or for natural resource
damages.

     The  following  are examples of some  environmental  laws that  potentially
impact the Company and its operations.

     Water.  The Oil  Pollution  Act  ("OPA")  was  enacted  in 1990 and  amends
provisions  of the Federal  Water  Pollution  Control Act of 1972  ("FWPCA") and
other  statutes  as they  pertain to  prevention  of and  response  to major oil
spills.  The OPA subjects owners of facilities to strict,  joint and potentially
unlimited  liability for removal costs and certain other  consequences of an oil
spill,  where such spill is into navigable waters,  or along shorelines.  In the
event of an oil spill into such waters, substantial liabilities could be imposed
upon the Company. States in which the Company operates have also enacted similar
laws.  Regulations are currently being developed under the OPA and similar state
laws that may also impose additional regulatory burdens on the Company.

     The FWPCA imposes  restrictions and strict controls regarding the discharge
of produced  waters,  other oil and gas wastes,  any form of pollutant,  and, in
some instances,  storm water runoff, into waters of the United States. The FWPCA
provides for civil,  criminal and administrative  penalties for any unauthorized
discharges and, along with the OPA, imposes substantial  potential liability for
the costs of removal,  remediation  or damages  resulting  from an  unauthorized
discharge.  State laws for the control of water  pollution  also provide  civil,
criminal  and  administrative  penalties  and  liabilities  in  the  case  of an
unauthorized  discharge into state waters.  The cost of compliance  with the OPA
and the FWPCA have not historically  been material to the Company's  operations,
but there can be no  assurance  that  changes in  federal,  state or local water
pollution  control programs will not materially  adversely effect the Company in
the future.  Although no  assurances  can be given,  the Company  believes  that
compliance  with existing  permits and compliance  with  foreseeable  new permit
requirements will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's  financial
condition or results of operations.

     Air Emissions. Amendments to the Federal Clean Air Act enacted in late 1990
(the "1990 CAA Amendments")  require or will require most industrial  operations
in the  United  States  to  incur  capital  expenditures  in  order  to meet air
emissions  control standards  developed by the  Environmental  Protection Agency
("EPA") and state environmental  agencies.  The 1990 CAA Amendments impose a new
operating permit on major sources,  and several of the Company's  facilities may
require permits under this new program. Although no assurances can be given, the
Company  believes  implementation  of the  1990 CAA  Amendments  will not have a
material  adverse  effect on the  Company's  financial  condition  or results of
operations.

     Solid  Waste.  The Company  generates  non-hazardous  solid wastes that are
subject to the  requirements of the Federal  Resource  Conservation and Recovery
Act ("RCRA") and comparable state statutes.  The EPA and the states in which the
Company operates are considering the adoption of stricter disposal standards for
the type of non-hazardous wastes generated by the Company. RCRA also governs the
generation,  management,  and  disposal of  hazardous  wastes.  At present,  the
Company  is not  required  to  comply  with a  substantial  portion  of the RCRA
requirements  because the Company's  operations  generate minimal  quantities of
hazardous wastes. However, it is anticipated that additional wastes, which could
include wastes currently generated during the Company's operations, could in the

                                       13

<PAGE>


future be designated as "hazardous wastes." Hazardous wastes are subject to more
rigorous and costly disposal and management  requirements than are non-hazardous
wastes.  Such  changes  in the  regulations  may  result in  additional  capital
expenditures or operating expenses by the Company.

     Superfund.  The Comprehensive  Environmental  Response,  Compensation,  and
Liability Act ("CERCLA"), also known as "Superfund",  imposes liability, without
regard to fault or the  legality  of the  original  act,  on certain  classes of
persons in  connection  with the  release of a  "hazardous  substance"  into the
environment.  These  persons  include the current  owner or operator of any site
where a release  historically  occurred and companies  that disposed or arranged
for the  disposal of the  hazardous  substances  found at the site.  CERCLA also
authorizes the EPA and, in some  instances,  third parties to act in response to
threats to the public health or the  environment and to seek to recover from the
responsible  classes  of  persons  the costs  they  incur.  In the course of its
ordinary  operations,  the Company  may have  managed  substances  that may fall
within  CERCLA's  definition  of a  "hazardous  substance."  The  Company may be
jointly and severally  liable under CERCLA for all or part of the costs required
to clean up sites where the Company  disposed of or arranged for the disposal of
these  substances.  This  potential  liability  extends to  properties  that the
Company owned or operated, as well as to properties owned and operated by others
at which disposal of the Company's hazardous substances occurred.

     The  Company  may also  fall into the  category  of the  "current  owner or
operator." The Company  currently owns or leases  numerous  properties  that for
many years have been used for the  exploration  and  production  of oil and gas.
Although the Company believes it has utilized  operating and disposal  practices
that were standard in the industry at the time, hydrocarbons or other wastes may
have been  disposed of or  released  by the  Company on or under the  properties
owned or leased by the Company. In addition,  many of these properties have been
previously  owned or  operated  by third  parties  who may have  disposed  of or
released  hydrocarbons or other wastes at these  properties.  Under CERCLA,  and
analogous  state laws, the Company could be subject to certain  liabilities  and
obligations,  such as being required to remove or remediate  previously disposed
wastes  (including wastes disposed of or released by prior owners or operators),
to clean up contaminated  property  (including  contaminated  groundwater) or to
perform remedial plugging operations to prevent future contamination.

Office and Operations Facilities

     The Company leases office space in Dallas,  Texas.  The Dallas lease covers
13,525 square feet at an average  monthly rate of $18,575 during 1997. The lease
expires on September 30, 1999.  The Company also owns or leases four  production
offices and yard facilities near Marshall,  Bay City, and Livingston,  Texas and
Logansport, Louisiana.

                                       14

<PAGE>

Directors, Executive Officers and Other Management

     The following table sets forth certain information concerning the executive
officers, directors and other management of the Company.

              Name       Age             Position with Company

Directors and Executive Officers
    M. Jay Allison       41       President, Chief Executive Officer and
                                  Director
    Roland O. Burns      36       Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
                                  Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
    Richard S. Hickok    71       Director
    Franklin B. Leonard  69       Director
    Harold R. Logan      75       Chairman of the Board of Directors
    Cecil E. Martin, Jr. 55       Director
    James L. Menke       45       Vice President of Operations
    David W. Sledge      40       Director
Other Management
    Stephen E. Neukom    47       Manager of Crude Oil and Natural Gas Marketing
    Richard G.  Powers   42       Land Manager
    Daniel K.  Presley   36       Controller and Assistant Treasurer
    Michael W.  Taylor   43       Director of Acquisitions and Chief
                                  Reservoir Engineer

     M. Jay Allison has been a director of the Company since 1987, and President
and Chief  Executive  Officer of the Company since 1988.  From 1987 to 1988, Mr.
Allison  served as Vice  President  and  Secretary of the Company.  From 1981 to
1987, he was a practicing oil and gas attorney with the firm of Lynch,  Chappell
& Alsup in Midland, Texas. In 1983, Mr. Allison co-founded a private independent
oil  and  gas  company,  Midwood  Petroleum,  Inc.,  which  was  active  in  the
acquisition  and  development  of oil and gas  properties  from 1983 to 1987. He
received B.B.A.,  M.S. and J.D. degrees from Baylor University in 1978, 1980 and
1981,  respectively.  Mr. Allison  currently  serves on the Board of Trustees of
Howard Payne University.

     Roland O. Burns has been Senior Vice  President of the Company  since 1994,
Chief Financial  Officer and Treasurer since 1990 and Secretary since 1991. From
1982 to 1990,  Mr.  Burns was  employed by the public  accounting  firm,  Arthur
Andersen  LLP.  During his tenure with Arthur  Andersen  LLP,  Mr.  Burns worked
primarily in the firm's oil and gas audit practice.  Mr. Burns received B.A. and
M.A.  degrees  from the  University  of  Mississippi  in 1982 and is a Certified
Public Accountant.

     Richard S. Hickok has been a director of the Company since 1987.  From 1948
to 1983, he was employed by the  international  accounting  firm of Main Hurdman
where he retired as Chairman.  From 1978 to 1980, Mr. Hickok served as a Trustee
of the Financial Accounting  Foundation and has extensive involvement serving on
various committees of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He
currently serves as a director of Marsh & McLennan  Company,  Inc.,  Alpine Lace
Brands,  Inc.,  Marcam,  Inc. and  Projectavision,  Inc. Mr. Hickok holds a B.S.
degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.


                                       15

<PAGE>

     Mr. Franklin B. Leonard has been a director of the Company since 1960. From
1961 to 1994, Mr. Leonard served as President of Crossley  Surveys,  Inc., a New
York based company which conducted  statistical  surveys. Mr. Leonard's family's
involvement in the Company spans four generations dating back to the 1880's when
Leonard's great  grandfather was a significant  shareholder of the Company.  Mr.
Leonard  also  served as a director of Glen Ridge  Savings and Loan  Association
from 1968 to 1990. Mr. Leonard holds a B.S. degree from Yale University.

     Harold R.  Logan has served as  Chairman  of the Board of  Directors  since
1987.  From 1960 to 1986,  Mr. Logan was employed by W.R. Grace & Co. at various
positions including Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and head of the W.R.
Grace & Co. Energy  Division.  From 1953 to 1960 Mr. Logan was a Budget Director
in the  Department  of  Defense  during  the  Eisenhower  Administration.  He is
currently serving as a trustee of the Neuberger and Berman Income Funds and is a
past director of the Whitman Corporation and Chelsea Industries. Mr. Logan holds
a B.S. degree from Oklahoma State University.

     Cecil E.  Martin,  Jr. has been a director of the Company  since 1988.  Mr.
Martin has been a significant  investor in the Company since 1987.  From 1973 to
1991 he served as Chairman of a public  accounting  firm in Richmond,  Virginia.
Mr. Martin also serves as a director for Ten-Key, Inc. Mr. Martin holds a B.B.A.
degree from Old Dominion University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

     James L. Menke has been Vice  President of  Operations of the Company since
March 1994.  From 1987 to 1994, Mr. Menke was Manager of Engineering for Atropos
Exploration  Company.  From 1973 to 1986, Mr. Menke held  engineering  positions
with Pennzoil Company,  Gruy Management  Services Company,  Maynard Oil Company,
and Santa Fe Minerals. Mr. Menke received a B.S. degree in Petroleum Engineering
from Texas A & M University in 1973 and is a Registered Professional Engineer.

     David W.  Sledge was  elected to the Board of  Directors  of the Company in
1996.  Mr. Sledge  served as President of Gene Sledge  Drilling  Corporation,  a
privately held contract drilling company based in Midland,  Texas until its sale
in October 1996. Mr. Sledge served Gene Sledge  Drilling  Corporation in various
capacities  from 1979 to 1996.  Mr.  Sledge  is  director  of the  International
Association of Drilling  Contractors and is a past chairman of the Permian Basin
chapter of this association.  He received a B.B.A. degree from Baylor University
in 1979.

     Stephen E. Neukom has been  Manager of Crude Oil and Natural Gas  Marketing
since  December  1996.  From  September  1994 to 1996, Mr. Neukom served as Vice
President  of  Comstock  Natural  Gas,  Inc.,  the  Company's  wholly  owned gas
marketing  subsidiary.  Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Neukom was Senior Vice
President of Victoria Gas  Corporation  from 1987 to 1994. Mr. Neukom received a
B.B.A. degree from the University of Texas in 1972.

     Richard G. Powers joined the Company as Land Manager in October  1994.  Mr.
Powers has over 17 years experience as a petroleum landman. Prior to joining the
Company,  Mr.  Powers was  employed  for 10 years as Land Manager for Bridge Oil
(U.S.A.), Inc. and its predecessor Pinoak Petroleum,  Inc. Mr. Powers received a
B.B.A. degree in 1976 from Texas Christian University.

     Daniel K. Presley is the  Controller  and Assistant  Treasurer and has been
with the Company since December 1989. Prior to joining the Company,  Mr. Presley
had six years of  experience  with  several  independent  oil and gas  companies
including AmBrit Energy, Inc. Prior thereto,  Mr. Presley spent two and one-half
years with B.D.O.  Seidman,  a public  accounting firm. Mr. Presley has a B.B.A.
from Texas A & M University.

     Michael W. Taylor is Director of Acquisitions and Chief Reservoir  Engineer
for the Company.  Prior to joining the Company in September 1994, Mr. Taylor had
been an  independent  oil and gas  producer  and  petroleum  consultant  for the
previous fifteen years. Mr. Taylor is a registered  professional engineer and he
received a B.S. degree in Petroleum  Engineering  from Texas A & M University in
1974.

                                       16

<PAGE>

Employees

     At December 31, 1996,  the Company had 47 employees  and utilized  contract
employees  for  certain  of its field  operations.  The  Company  considers  its
employee relations to be satisfactory.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     The  Company  is not a party  to any  legal  proceedings  which  management
believes  will have a  material  adverse  effect on the  Company's  consolidated
results of operations or financial condition.

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

     No matters  were  submitted  to a vote of the  Company's  security  holders
during the fourth quarter of 1996.



                                       17

<PAGE>


                                     PART II

ITEM 5.MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
       MATTERS

     The  Company's  common  stock was listed for  trading on the New York Stock
Exchange  under the symbol  "CRK" on December  17,  1996.  Prior to December 17,
1996, the Company's  common stock traded on the Nasdaq  National  Market tier of
the Nasdaq Stock Market.  The following  table sets forth,  on a per share basis
for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices by calendar quarter for
the periods  indicated  as reported by the Nasdaq  Stock  Market or the New York
Stock Exchange, as applicable.

                                                  High          Low

            1995 -     First Quarter            $ 3.69       $ 2.75
                       Second Quarter             4.94         3.38
                       Third Quarter              4.88         3.75
                       Fourth Quarter             5.63         4.00

            1996 -     First Quarter            $ 5.75       $ 4.56
                       Second Quarter            10.50         4.69
                       Third Quarter             12.13         8.63
                       Fourth Quarter            14.63        11.13

     As of March 10,  1997,  the Company had  24,154,903  shares of common stock
outstanding,  which were held by 759 holders of record and  approximately  9,000
beneficial owners who maintain their shares in "street name" accounts.

     The Company has never paid cash dividends on its common stock.  The Company
presently  intends to retain any earnings for the operation and expansion of its
business  and does not  anticipate  paying  cash  dividends  in the  foreseeable
future. Any future determination as to the payment of dividends will depend upon
results of  operations,  capital  requirements,  the financial  condition of the
Company and such other factors as the Board of Directors of the Company may deem
relevant. In addition, the Company is limited under its bank credit facility and
the  provisions  of its  outstanding  preferred  stock  series  from  paying  or
declaring cash dividends.

                                       18

<PAGE>

ITEM 6. SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA

     The  historical  financial  data presented in the table below as of and for
each of the years in the  five-year  period ended  December 31, 1996 are derived
from the Consolidated  Financial  Statements of the Company.  The data presented
below should be read in conjunction  with the Company's  Consolidated  Financial
Statements and the notes thereto  included  elsewhere  herein and  "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA(1):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      Year Ended December 31,
                                                                      -----------------------                                    
                                                      1992         1993         1994         1995         1996
                                                      ----         ----         ----         ----         ----
                                                                   ($ in thousands, except per share data)
<S>                                                <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>     
Revenues:
   Oil and gas sales ..............................$ 10,680     $ 21,805     $ 16,855     $ 22,091     $ 68,915
   Gain on sales of property ......................    --             26          328           19        1,447
   Other income ...................................     220          430          416          264          593
                                                   --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
            Total revenues ........................  10,900       22,261       17,599       22,374       70,955
                                                   --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
Expenses:
   Oil and gas operating(2) .......................   3,150        6,673        6,099        7,427       13,838
   Exploration ....................................    --            423         --           --            436
   Depreciation, depletion and amortization .......   3,743        8,322        7,350        8,379       18,269
   General and administrative, net ................   1,485        1,834        1,569        1,301        2,239
   Interest .......................................   1,037        2,184        2,869        5,542       10,086
   Impairment of oil and gas properties(3) ........    --           --           --         29,150         --
                                                   --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
            Total expenses ........................   9,415       19,436       17,887       51,799       44,868
                                                   --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
Income (loss) from continuing operations before
  income taxes and extraordinary item .............   1,485        2,825         (288)     (29,425)      26,087
   Provision for income taxes .....................    --           --           --           --           --
                                                   --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
  before extraordinary item .......................   1,485        2,825         (288)     (29,425)      26,087
   Preferred stock dividends ......................     (56)        (173)        (818)      (1,908)      (2,021)
                                                   --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
  attributable to common stock before
  extraordinary item ..............................   1,429        2,652       (1,106)     (31,333)      24,066
   Income from discontinued operations ............      38           89          229        3,264        1,866
   Extraordinary loss .............................    --           (417)        (615)        --           --
                                                   --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
Net income (loss) attributable to common stock ....$  1,467     $  2,324     $ (1,492)    $(28,069)    $ 25,932
                                                   ========     ========     ========     ========     ========
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
   Primary ........................................   8,180       10,762       12,065       12,546       16,370
                                                   ========     ========     ========     ========     ========
   Fully diluted ..................................                                                      21,408
                                                                                                       ========
Primary earnings per share:
   Net income (loss) from continuing operations
     before extraordinary item ....................$   0.17     $   0.25     $  (0.09)    $  (2.50)    $   1.47
   Net income (loss)  after
   extraordinary item .............................    0.18         0.22        (0.12)       (2.24)        1.58
Fully diluted earnings per share:
   Net income (loss) from continuing operations
     before extraordinary item ....................                                                    $   1.22
   Net income (loss) after extraordinary item .....                                                        1.31

</TABLE>

                                       19

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

OTHER FINANCIAL DATA:
                                                                      Year Ended December 31,
                                                                      -----------------------
                                                      1992         1993          1994        1995         1996
                                                      ----         ----          ----        ----         ----
                                                                          (In thousands)
<S>                                                <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Cash provided (used) by:
Operating activities ..............................$ (1,020)    $ 16,488     $   7,376    $  8,407     $ 45,919
   Investing activities ........................... (12,472)     (17,415)      (23,972)    (58,724)     (99,910)
   Financing activities ...........................  12,910          790        19,266      48,809       68,236
EBITDA ............................................   6,265       13,754         9,931      13,646       54,878
Capital expenditures ..............................  12,457       21,779        16,386      61,809      111,962

</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

BALANCE SHEET DATA:
                                                                         As of December 31,
                                                                         ------------------
                                                      1992         1993          1994        1995         1996
                                                      ----         ----          ----        ----         ----
                                                                           (In thousands)
<S>                                                <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
   Property and equipment, net.....................$ 53,474     $ 66,068     $  77,989    $102,116     $185,928
   Total assets....................................  66,185       74,095        91,571     120,099      222,002
   Total debt......................................  19,164       21,930        37,932      71,811       80,108
   Stockholders' equity............................  23,110       27,646        41,205      30,128      118,216

(1)   Significant  acquisitions  of producing oil and gas properties  affect the
      comparability  of the  historical  financial  and  operating  data for the
      periods presented.
(2)   Includes lease operating costs and production and ad valorem taxes.
(3)   Represents  the impairment  provision for the adoption of a new accounting
      standard regarding the carrying value of long-lived assets.

</TABLE>

ITEM 7.MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
       RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Operations

  General

     The Company's results of operations have been significantly affected by its
success in acquiring  producing oil and natural gas properties.  Fluctuations in
oil and natural gas prices have also influenced the Company's financial results.
Relatively  minor  movements  in natural  gas prices can lead to a change in the
Company's  results of  operations  and cash flow and could have an impact on the
Company's  borrowing  base  under its bank  credit  facility.  Based on the 1996
operating  results,  a change in the average  natural gas price  realized by the
Company of $0.10 per Mcf would result in a change in net income  attributable to
common  stock of  approximately  $1.8  million,  or $0.08  per share (on a fully
diluted basis).

                                       20

<PAGE>

     The following table reflects certain summary operating data for the periods
presented:

                                                  Year Ended December 31,
                                               1994         1995         1996
                                               ----         ----         ----
  Net Production Data:
    Oil (MBbls)                                 263          356          952
    Natural gas (MMcf)                        6,514        9,297       19,427
  Average Sales Price:
    Oil (per Bbl)                            $15.22       $16.81       $21.96
    Natural gas (per Mcf)                      1.97         1.73         2.47
  Expenses ($ per Mcfe):
    Oil and gas operating(1)                 $ 0.75       $ 0.65      $  0.55
    General and administrative, net            0.19         0.11         0.09
    Depreciation, depletion and
      amortization(2)                          0.88         0.72         0.72

  (1)  Includes lease operating costs and production and ad valorem taxes.
  (2)  Represents depreciation,  depletion  and amortization  of  oil  and  gas
       properties only.

     Average  oil and  natural  gas prices  received  by the  Company  generally
fluctuate  with changes in the posted  prices for oil and spot market prices for
natural gas. Historically, the Company has entered into price swap agreements to
reduce its  exposure to natural  gas price  fluctuations.  In 1995,  the Company
hedged  approximately 25% of its natural gas production and realized a 5% higher
average gas price than it otherwise  would have without  hedging.  In 1996,  the
Company hedged approximately 15% of its natural gas production and realized a 2%
lower gas price than it otherwise would have without hedging.

  Adoption of New Accounting Standard

     Prior to the fourth quarter of 1995, the Company periodically  reviewed the
carrying value of its proved oil and gas properties for impairment in value on a
company-wide  basis by  comparing  the  capitalized  costs of proved oil and gas
properties  with  the   undiscounted   future  cash  flows  after  income  taxes
attributable to such  properties.  Under this policy,  no impairment in carrying
value was  required  during  1994.  In the fourth  quarter of 1995,  the Company
adopted the Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards No. 121 "Accounting for
the  Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets and  Long-Lived  Assets to Be Disposed Of"
("SFAS 121"). SFAS 121 requires the Company to assess the need for an impairment
of capitalized costs of oil and gas properties on a property-by-property  basis.
If an impairment is indicated based on undiscounted  expected future cash flows,
then an impairment is recognized to the extent that net capitalized costs exceed
discounted  expected  future cash flows. In connection with the adoption of SFAS
121, the Company provided an impairment of approximately  $29.2 million in 1995.
Of the total impairment  provision,  $20.0 million related to a writedown of the
carrying value of the Company's undeveloped acreage in the Texas Panhandle field
acquired from 1988 to 1990.

  Year Ended December 31, 1996 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 1995

     Oil and gas sales increased $46.8 million (212%), to $68.9 million for 1996
from $22.1  million in 1995 due  primarily  to a 109%  increase  in natural  gas
production  and a 168%  increase  in oil  production  as well as higher  oil and
natural gas prices.  The production  increases  related  primarily to production
from properties  acquired in 1995 and the Black Stone Acquisition,  which closed
in May 1996. The Company's  average gas price  increased 43% and its average oil
price increased 31% during 1996 as compared to 1995.

     During  1996,  the Company sold  certain of its  non-strategic  oil and gas
properties  for  cash  of  $9.0  million.  The  sales  resulted  in  a  gain  of
approximately $1.4 million.

                                       21

<PAGE>

     Other income increased $329,000 (125%) to $593,000 in 1996 from $264,000 in
1995 due primarily to additional interest income earned on an increased level of
short-term cash deposits in 1996.

     Oil and gas operating expenses,  including production taxes, increased $6.4
million  (86%) to $13.8  million in 1996 from $7.4 million in 1995 due primarily
to the 120%  increase  in oil and  natural  gas  production  (on an Mcfe  basis)
resulting   primarily  from  the  acquisitions  in  1995  and  the  Black  Stone
Acquisition.  Oil and gas operating  expenses per Mcfe produced decreased 15% to
$0.55 in 1996 from $0.65 in 1995 due to the lower lifting costs  associated with
the properties acquired in 1995 and 1996.

     General  and  administrative  expenses  increased  $938,000  (72%)  to $2.2
million in 1996 from $1.3  million in 1995.  The increase is  attributable  to a
$600,000  litigation  settlement incurred by the Company in 1996 and an increase
in the number of employees of the Company in 1996.

     Depreciation,  depletion and amortization  ("DD&A")  increased $9.9 million
(118%)  to $18.3  million  in 1996  from  $8.4  million  in 1995 due to the 120%
increase in oil and  natural  gas  production  (on an Mcfe  basis).  Oil and gas
property DD&A per Mcfe produced of $0.72 in 1996 remained  unchanged  from $0.72
in 1995.

     Interest  expense  increased  $4.5 million  (82%) to $10.1 million for 1996
from  $5.5  million  for  1995  due  primarily  to an  increase  in the  average
outstanding  advances  under the  Company's  bank credit  facility.  The average
annual interest rate paid under the Company's bank credit facility  decreased to
8.1% in 1996 as compared to 10.5% in 1995.

     The  Company   reported  net  income  of  $24.1  million  from   continuing
operations,  after preferred stock dividends of $2.0 million, for the year ended
December 31, 1996,  as compared to a net loss of $31.3  million from  continuing
operations,  after preferred stock dividends of $1.9 million, for the year ended
December 31, 1995.

     In December  1996,  the Company sold its third party  natural gas marketing
operations and substantially all of its related gas gathering and gas processing
assets  for  cash  of  approximately  $3.0  million  and  discontinued  its  gas
gathering,  processing  and marketing  segment.  Net income from this segment in
1996 was $1.9 million including a gain on the sale of $818,000.

  Year Ended December 31, 1995 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 1994

     Oil and gas sales  increased  $5.2 million  (31%) to $22.1  million in 1995
from $16.9  million  in 1994 due  primarily  to a 43%  increase  in natural  gas
production  and a 35%  increase  in oil  production.  The  production  increases
related  primarily  to  production  from  certain oil and  natural gas  property
acquisitions  completed in late 1994 and in 1995. The production  increases were
partially  offset by a 12%  decrease in the  Company's  average  gas price.  The
Company's average oil price for the period increased by 10%.

     Oil and gas operating expenses,  including production taxes, increased $1.3
million (22%) to $7.4 million in 1995 from $6.1 million in 1994 due primarily to
the 41% increase in oil and natural gas production (on an Mcfe basis)  resulting
from the 1994 and 1995 property acquisitions.  Lease operating expenses per Mcfe
produced  decreased  13% to $0.65 in 1995  from  $0.75 in 1994 due to the  lower
lifting costs associated with the properties acquired in 1995.

     General  and  administrative  expenses  decreased  $268,000  (17%)  to $1.3
million  in  1995  from  $1.6  million  in  1994.   The  decrease  is  primarily
attributable  to the  increase in operating  fee income  received by the Company
after the Sonat  Acquisition,  which is accounted  for as a reduction to general
and administrative expenses.


                                       22

<PAGE>


     DD&A increased $1.0 million (14%) to $8.4 million in 1995 from $7.4 million
in 1994 due primarily to the 41% increase in oil and natural gas  production (on
an Mcfe basis).  Oil and gas property  DD&A per Mcfe  produced  decreased 18% to
$0.72 in 1995 from $0.88 in 1994.

     Interest expense  increased $2.7 million (93%) to $5.5 million in 1995 from
$2.8  million in 1994 due  primarily  to an increase in the average  outstanding
advances  under the Company's  bank credit  facility and an increase in interest
rates.  The average  annual  interest rate paid under the Company's  bank credit
facility was 10.5% in 1995 as compared to 8.6% in 1994.

     The Company  reported a loss of $31.3 million from  continuing  operations,
after preferred stock dividends of $1.9 million, for the year ended December 31,
1995, as compared to a loss from  continuing  operations of $1.1 million,  after
preferred stock dividends of $818,000, for the year ended December 31, 1994. The
increase in the loss in 1995 is attributable  to the Company's  adoption of SFAS
121 which  resulted in the Company  recording an  impairment  of its oil and gas
properties  of $29.2 million  relating to the adoption of SFAS 121.  Income from
the  discontinued  gas gathering,  marketing and  processing  operations of $3.3
million for 1995 included a $2.6 million gain from the sale of a gas  processing
plant for $3.0 million.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     Funding for the  Company's  activities  has  historically  been provided by
operating cash flows,  debt and equity  financings and asset  dispositions.  Net
cash flows  provided by operating  activities  totaled $8.4 million for the year
ended  December 31, 1995 and $45.9 million for the year ended December 31, 1996.
In addition to operating  cash flow,  primary source of funds for the Company in
1996 included  borrowings  under a new bank credit  facility of $172.2  million,
proceeds  from the sale of common stock of $60.6  million and proceeds  from the
sale of assets of $12.1 million.

     On December 2, 1996, the Company  completed a public  offering of 5,795,000
shares  of common  stock,  of which  4,000,000  (4,869,250  including  the over-
allotment  option which was  exercised on December 12, 1996) shares were sold by
the Company and 1,795,000 shares were sold by certain stockholders. Net proceeds
to the  Company,  after  the  underwriting  discount  and other  expenses,  were
approximately   $57.0  million  and  were  used  to  reduce  a  portion  of  the
indebtedness  incurred  under the Company's  revolving  bank credit  facility in
connection  with the Black Stone  Acquisition.  During 1996,  the Company issued
1,007,177  shares of common  stock in  connection  with the  exercise of certain
stock  purchase  warrants  and options  yielding  net proceeds to the Company of
approximately $3.6 million.

     The Company's primary needs for capital,  in addition to funding of ongoing
operations, are for the acquisition,  development and exploration of oil and gas
properties,  and the  repayment  of  principal  and  interest on its bank credit
facility.  In 1996, the Company repaid $163.9  million of  indebtedness  and had
capital expenditures of $112.0 million.

                                       23

<PAGE>


     The Company's annual capital expenditure activity is summarized as follows:

                                                    Year Ended December 31,
                                                   1994       1995       1996   
                                                --------   --------   --------
                                                     (In thousands)


     Acquisition of oil and gas reserves        $ 12,970   $ 56,081   $100,446
     Other leasehold costs                           607         12         93
     Workovers and recompletions                   1,271      2,152      2,972
     Development drilling                            218      1,514      7,964
     Exploratory drilling                           --         --          436
     Acquisition of gas marketing,
       processing and gathering assets             1,099      2,009          5
     Other                                           221         41         46
                                                --------   --------   --------
          Total                                 $ 16,386   $ 61,809   $111,962
                                                ========   ========   ========

     The timing of most of the Company's  capital  expenditures is discretionary
with no material long-term capital expenditure  commitments.  Consequently,  the
Company  has a  significant  degree of  flexibility  to adjust the level of such
expenditures as circumstances warrant. For the years ended December 31, 1995 and
1996,  the  Company  spent $3.7  million  and $11.4  million,  respectively,  on
development and  exploration  activities.  As part of its increased  emphasis on
such activities,  the Company currently anticipates spending approximately $30.0
million on development and exploration projects in 1997. The increase in capital
expenditures for 1996 and 1997 over prior year levels is primarily  attributable
to  the   increased   opportunities   available  to  the  Company  after  recent
acquisitions.  The  Company  does not have a  specific  acquisition  budget as a
result of the unpredictability of the timing and size of forthcoming acquisition
activities.

     The Company intends to primarily use internally generated cash flow to fund
capital   expenditures   other  than  significant   acquisitions.   The  Company
anticipates  that such sources  will be  sufficient  to fund the  expected  1997
development and exploration  expenditures.  The Company primarily intends to use
borrowings under its bank credit facility to finance  significant  acquisitions.
In addition, the Company may seek to obtain other debt or equity financing.  The
availability and attractiveness of these sources of financing will depend upon a
number of factors,  some of which will  relate to the  financial  condition  and
performance  of the  Company,  and some of which  will be beyond  the  Company's
control, such as prevailing interest rates, oil and natural gas prices and other
market conditions.

     The Company's bank credit facility  consists of a $166.0 million  revolving
credit  commitment  provided  by a  syndicate  of 11 banks in  which  The  First
National Bank of Chicago serves as agent. All indebtedness under the bank credit
facility  is secured by  substantially  all of the  Company's  assets.  The bank
credit  facility is subject to borrowing base  availability  as determined  from
time to time by the  lenders,  in the exercise of their sole  discretion.  As of
December 31, 1996,  the borrowing base was $166.0  million.  Such borrowing base
may be affected  from time to time by the  performance  of the Company's oil and
natural gas properties  and changes in oil and natural gas prices.  Beginning on
February 4, 1997, the revolving  credit line bears interest at the option of the
Company at either (i) LIBOR plus 0.75% to 1.5% or (ii) the "corporate base rate"
plus 0% to 0.25%,  depending on the utilization of the available borrowing base.
The  Company  incurs  a  commitment  fee of up to  0.25% to  0.375%  per  annum,
depending on the  utilization  of the  available  borrowing  base, on the unused
portion of the borrowing  base. The average annual  interest rate as of December
31, 1996, of all  outstanding  indebtedness  under the bank credit  facility was
approximately  6.9%.  The  revolving  credit line will convert to a term loan on


                                       24

<PAGE>

August 13, 1999 or such earlier date as the Company may elect.  The term loan is
to be  repaid  in  consecutive  quarterly  installments  of 5% of  the  original
outstanding principal amount of the term loan; the balance of the term loan will
be due and payable in full on August 13, 2001. The bank credit facility contains
covenants  which,  among other things,  restrict the payment of cash  dividends,
limit the amount of consolidated  debt, and limit the Company's  ability to make
certain loans and investments.

Federal Taxation

     At December 31, 1996, the Company had federal income tax net operating loss
("NOL")  carryforwards of  approximately  $17.9 million.  The NOL  carryforwards
expire from 1997 through 2011. The value of these  carryforwards  depends on the
ability of the Company to  generate  federal  taxable  income and to utilize the
carryforwards  to reduce such income.  The Company has recognized  substantially
all of the NOL carryforwards for financial reporting purposes as of December 31,
1996.

Inflation

     In recent years inflation has not had a significant impact on the Company's
operations or financial condition.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     The  Consolidated  Financial  Statements for Comstock  Resources,  Inc. and
Subsidiaries are included on pages F-1 to F-20 of this report.

     The  financial  statements  have been  prepared  by the  management  of the
Company in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.  Management
is responsible for the fairness and reliability of the financial  statements and
other  financial  data  included  in  this  report.  In the  preparation  of the
financial  statements,  it is necessary to make informed estimates and judgments
based on currently  available  information  on the effects of certain events and
transactions.

     The  Company  maintains  accounting  and other  controls  which  management
believes  provide  reasonable  assurance  that  financial  records are reliable,
assets  are  safeguarded,   and  that  transactions  are  properly  recorded  in
accordance with management's  authorizations.  However, limitations exist in any
system of  internal  control  based  upon the  recognition  that the cost of the
system should not exceed benefits derived.

     The Company's  independent  public  accountants,  Arthur  Andersen LLP, are
engaged  to audit the  financial  statements  of the  Company  and to express an
opinion thereon.  Their audit is conducted in accordance with generally accepted
auditing  standards to enable them to report  whether the  financial  statements
present fairly, in all material respects,  the financial position and results of
operations  of the Company in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles.

     The Audit  Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company,  composed of
three directors who are not employees,  meets  periodically with the independent
public accountants and management.  The independent public accountants have full
and free access to the Audit  Committee  to meet,  with and  without  management
being  present,  to  discuss  the  results of their  audits  and the  quality of
financial reporting.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

     Not applicable.

                                       25
<PAGE>

                                    PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

     The information  required by this item is incorporated  herein by reference
to the  Company's  definitive  proxy  statement  which  will be  filed  with the
Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 1996.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     The information  required by this item is incorporated  herein by reference
to the  Company's  definitive  proxy  statement  which  will be  filed  with the
Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 1996.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

     The information  required by this item is incorporated  herein by reference
to the  Company's  definitive  proxy  statement  which  will be  filed  with the
Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 1996.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     The information  required by this item is incorporated  herein by reference
to the  Company's  definitive  proxy  statement  which  will be  filed  with the
Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 1996.

                                       26

<PAGE>



                                     PART IV

ITEM 14. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

     Exhibits:

     The following exhibits are included on pages E-1 to E-19 of this report.

Exhibit
  No.                                 Description
- -------   ----------------------------------------------------------------------
3.1       Restated  Articles of  Incorporation  of the Company  (incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the  Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K
          for the year ended December 31, 1995 (the "1995 Form 10-K").

3.2       Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the
          Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3, dated October 25, 1996).

4.2(a)    Rights  Agreement  dated as of December 10,  1990,  by and between the
          Company and  Society  National  Bank,  as Rights  Agent  (incorporated
          herein  by  reference  to  Exhibit  1 to  the  Company's  Registration
          Statement on Form 8-A, dated December 14, 1990).

4.2(b)    First  Amendment to the Rights  Agreement,  by and between the Company
          and Society  National Bank (successor to Ameritrust  Texas,  N.A.), as
          Rights Agent, dated January 7, 1994 (incorporated  herein by reference
          to Exhibit  3.6 to the  Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the
          year ended December 31, 1993).

4.2(c)    Second Amendment to the Rights  Agreement,  by and between the Company
          and Bank One,  Texas N.A.  (successor to Society  National  Bank),  as
          Rights  Agent,  dated  April 1, 1995  (incorporated  by  reference  to
          Exhibit 4.7 to the Company's 1995 Form 10-K).

4.2(d)    Third  Amendment to the Rights  Agreement,  by and between the Company
          and Bank One,  Texas N.A.  (successor to Society  National  Bank),  as
          Rights  Agent,  dated  April 1, 1995  (incorporated  by  reference  to
          Exhibit 4.8 to the Company's 1995 Form 10-K).

4.2(e)    Fourth Amendment to the Rights  Agreement,  by and between the Company
          and Bank One,  Texas N.A.  (successor to Society  National  Bank),  as
          Rights  Agent,  dated  April 1, 1995  (incorporated  by  reference  to
          Exhibit 4.9 to the Company's 1995 Form 10-K).

4.3       Certificate of Designation,  Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior
          Participating  Preferred Stock dated December 6, 1990 (incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the  Company's  Registration  Statement on
          Form S-3, dated October 25, 1996).

4.4       Certificate of Voting Powers, Designations, Preferences, and Relative,
          Participating,  Optional  or Other  Special  Rights of the Series 1995
          Convertible  Preferred  Stock  (incorporated  herein by  reference  to
          Exhibit 3(a) to the  Company's  Current  Report on Form 8-K dated June
          19, 1995).

10.1(a)   Credit  Agreement,  dated as of August 13, 1996,  between the Company,
          the Banks Party  thereto and The First  National  Bank of Chicago,  as
          agent  (incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.1  to the
          Company's  Quarterly  Report  on  Form  10-Q  for  the  quarter  ended
          September 30, 1996).

10.1(b)*  Amendment  No. 1 to the Credit  Agreement  dated  November  26,  1996,
          between the Company,  the Banks party  thereto and The First  National
          Bank of Chicago, as agent.

                                       27
<PAGE>

Exhibit
  No.                                 Description


10.1(c)*  Amendment No. 2 to the Credit Agreement dated February 4, 1997 between
          the Company,  the Banks party  thereto and the First  National Bank of
          Chicago as agent.

10.2#     Employment  Agreement  dated July 1, 1996,  by and between the Company
          and M. Jay Allison  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the
          Company's  Quarterly  Report  on  Form  10-Q  for  the  quarter  ended
          September 30, 1996).

10.3#     Employment  Agreement  dated July 1, 1996,  by and between the Company
          and Roland O. Burns  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the
          Company's  Quarterly  Report  on  Form  10-Q  for  the  quarter  ended
          September 30, 1996).

10.4(a)#  Comstock  Resources,  Inc. 1991 Long-term  Incentive Plan, dated as of
          April 1, 1991 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the
          Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31,
          1991).

10.4(b)#  Amendment  No.  1 to  the  Comstock  Resources,  Inc.  1991  Long-term
          Incentive  Plan  (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit  10.4 to the
          Company's  Quarterly  Report  on  Form  10-Q  for  the  quarter  ended
          September 30, 1996).

10.5#     Form of  Nonqualified  Stock  Option  Agreement,  dated April 2, 1991,
          between the Company and certain  officers and directors of the Company
          (incorporated  herein by reference  to Exhibit  10.9 to the  Company's
          Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991).

10.6#     Form of Restricted Stock Agreement,  dated April 2, 1991,  between the
          Company and certain  officers of the Company  (incorporated  herein by
          reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
          for the year ended December 31, 1991).

10.7      Form of Stock Option Agreement,  dated October 12, 1994 by and between
          the Company and Christopher T. H. Pell, et al (incorporated  herein by
          reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
          for the year ended December 31, 1994).

10.8      Lease  Agreement,  dated as of December 20,  1994,  by and between the
          Company  and  Occidental  Tower  Corporation  (incorporated  herein by
          reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
          for the year ended December 31, 1994).

21  *     Subsidiaries of the Company.

23  *     Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

27  *     Financial Data Schedule.
- --------------------
*Filed herewith.
#Management contract or compensatory plan document.

     Reports on Form 8-K:

     There were no Form 8-K Reports  filed  subsequent  to September 30, 1996 to
the date of this report.

                                       28

<PAGE>


                                                    SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the  requirements  of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

                                        COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.

                                        By:   /s/M. JAY ALLISON
                                           --------------------
                                              M. Jay Allison
                                        President and Chief Executive Officer
                                        (Principal Executive Officer)
Date:  March 11, 1997

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, this
report  has  been  signed  below  by the  following  persons  on  behalf  of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


/s/M. JAY ALLISON        President, Chief Executive Officer and  March 11, 1997
- ------------------       Director (Principal Executive Officer)  
M. Jay Allison           


/s/ROLAND O. BURNS       Senior Vice President, Chief Financial  March 11, 1997
- ------------------       Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
Roland O. Burns          (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


/s/HAROLD R. LOGAN       Chairman of the Board of Directors      March 11, 1997
- ------------------
Harold R. Logan


/s/RICHARD S. HICKOK     Director                                March 11, 1997
- --------------------
Richard S. Hickok


/s/FRANKLIN B. LEONARD   Director                                March 11, 1997
- ----------------------
Franklin B. Leonard


/s/CECIL E. MARTIN, JR.  Director                                March 11, 1997
- -----------------------
Cecil E. Martin, Jr.


/s/DAVID W. SLEDGE       Director                                March 11, 1997
- ------------------
David W. Sledge


                                       29

<PAGE>
                      CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF
                    COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES



                                      INDEX



 Report of Independent Public Accountants....................................F-2

 Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1995 and 1996................F-3

 Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended
         December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996....................................F-4

 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended
         December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996....................................F-5

 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended
         December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996....................................F-6

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..................................F-7


                                       F-1

<PAGE>



                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS




To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
  of Comstock Resources, Inc.:

     We have audited the  accompanying  consolidated  balance sheets of Comstock
Resources,  Inc. (a Nevada corporation) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995
and 1996, and the related consolidated  statements of operations,  stockholders'
equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period  ended  December
31, 1996.  These financial  statements are the  responsibility  of the Company's
management.  Our  responsibility  is to express  an  opinion on these  financial
statements based on our audits.

     We conducted  our audits in accordance  with  generally  accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

     In our opinion,  the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Comstock Resources, Inc. and
subsidiaries  as of  December  31,  1995  and  1996,  and the  results  of their
operations  and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

     As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company changed its
method of  accounting  for the  impairment  of  long-lived  assets in the fourth
quarter of 1995.


                               ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP



Dallas, Texas,
February 26, 1997



                                       F-2
<PAGE>


                    COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                        As of December 31, 1995 and 1996

                                     ASSETS

                                                               December 31,
                                                            1995         1996
                                                         ---------    ---------
                                                             (In thousands)

Cash and Cash Equivalents ...............................$   1,917    $  16,162
Accounts Receivable:
  Oil and gas sales .....................................    5,385       17,309
  Gas marketing sales ...................................    8,451         --
  Joint interest operations .............................    1,230        2,188
Other Current Assets ....................................      264          174
                                                         ---------    ---------
          Total current assets ..........................   17,247       35,833
Property and Equipment:
  Oil and gas properties,
    successful efforts method ...........................  154,844      239,671
  Other .................................................    2,717          401
  Accumulated depreciation,
    depletion and amortization ..........................  (55,445)     (54,144)
                                                         ---------    ---------
          Net property and equipment ....................  102,116      185,928
Other Assets ............................................      736          241
                                                         ---------    ---------
                                                         $ 120,099    $ 222,002
                                                         =========    =========

                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current Portion of Long-term Debt .......................$  18,677    $     108
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses ...................   16,511       22,773
                                                         ---------    ---------
          Total current liabilities .....................   35,188       22,881
Long-term Debt, less current portion ....................   53,134       80,000
Other Noncurrent Liabilities ............................    1,649          905
Stockholders' Equity:
  Preferred stock--$10.00 par, 5,000,000
    shares authorized, 3,100,000 and
    706,323 shares outstanding at
    December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively ............   31,000        7,063
  Common stock--$0.50 par, 30,000,000
    shares authorized, 12,926,672 and
    24,101,430 shares outstanding at
    December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively ............    6,463       12,051
  Additional paid-in capital ............................   38,183      118,647
  Retained deficit ......................................  (45,444)     (19,512)
  Less: Deferred compensation--restricted
    stock grants ........................................      (74)         (33)
                                                         ---------    ---------
          Total stockholders' equity ....................   30,128      118,216
                                                         ---------    ---------
                                                         $ 120,099    $ 222,002
                                                         =========    =========


        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

                                       F-3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>

                   COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
              For the Years Ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996

<CAPTION>
                                                           1994         1995          1996
                                                           ----         ----          ----
                                                                 (In thousands, except
                                                                    per share amounts)
<S>                                                      <C>          <C>          <C>
Revenues:
  Oil and gas sales......................................$ 16,855     $ 22,091     $ 68,915
  Gain on sales of property .............................     328           19        1,447
  Other income ..........................................     416          264          593
                                                         --------     --------     --------
          Total revenues ................................  17,599       22,374       70,955
                                                         --------     --------     --------
Expenses:
  Oil and gas operating .................................   6,099        7,427       13,838
  Exploration ...........................................    --           --            436
  Depreciation, depletion and amortization ..............   7,350        8,379       18,269
  General and administrative, net .......................   1,569        1,301        2,239
  Interest ..............................................   2,869        5,542       10,086
  Impairment of oil and gas properties ..................    --         29,150         --
                                                         --------     --------     --------
          Total expenses ................................  17,887       51,799       44,868
                                                         --------     --------     --------
Income (loss) from continuing operations
 before income taxes and extraordinary item .............    (288)     (29,425)      26,087
Provision for income taxes ..............................    --           --           --
                                                         --------     --------     --------
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
  before extraordinary item .............................    (288)     (29,425)      26,087
Preferred stock dividends ...............................    (818)      (1,908)      (2,021)
                                                         --------     --------     --------
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
  attributable to common stock before
  extraordinary item ....................................  (1,106)     (31,333)      24,066
Income from discontinued gas gathering,
 processing and marketing operations including
 gain on disposal .......................................     229        3,264        1,866
Extraordinary item - loss on early extinguishment
 of debt ................................................    (615)        --           --
                                                         --------     --------     --------
Net income (loss) attributable to common stock...........$ (1,492)    $(28,069)    $ 25,932
                                                         ========     ========     ========
Net income (loss) per share:
  Primary -
      From continuing operations and before
          extraordinary item ............................$   (.09)    $  (2.50)    $   1.47
                                                         ========     ========     ========
      After extraordinary item...........................$   (.12)    $  (2.24)    $   1.58
                                                         ========     ========     ========
  Fully diluted -
      From continuing operations and before
          extraordinary item ............................                          $   1.22
                                                                                   ========
      After extraordinary item ..........................                          $   1.31
                                                                                   ========
Weighted average number equivalent and shares stock outstanding:
          Primary .......................................  12,065       12,546       16,370
                                                         ========     ========     ========
          Fully diluted .................................                            21,408
                                                                                   ========


                The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
</TABLE>

                                      F-4

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
                    COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
              For the Years Ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996

<CAPTION>

                                                                                        Deferred
                                                               Additional   Retained   Compensation-
                                         Preferred   Common     Paid-In     Earnings    Restricted
                                           Stock      Stock     Capital    (Deficit)   Stock Grants   Total
                                           -----      -----     -------    ---------   ------------   -----
                                                                  (in thousands)
<S>                                     <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Balance at December 31, 1993............$   --      $  5,869   $ 37,816    $(15,883)   $   (156)   $ 27,646
   Issuance of preferred stock .........  16,000        --       (2,000)       --          --        14,000
   Issuance of common stock ............    --           302        708        --          --         1,010
   Restricted stock grants .............    --          --         --          --            41          41
   Net loss attributable to
     common stock ......................    --          --         --        (1,492)       --        (1,492)
                                        --------    --------   --------    --------    --------     -------
Balance at December 31, 1994 ...........  16,000       6,171     36,524     (17,375)       (115)     41,205
                                        --------    --------   --------    --------    --------     -------
   Issuance of preferred stock .........  15,000        --         --          --          --        15,000
   Issuance of common stock ............    --           292      1,659        --          --         1,951
   Restricted stock grants .............    --          --         --          --            41          41
   Net loss attributable to
     common stock ......................    --          --         --       (28,069)       --       (28,069)
                                        --------    --------   --------    --------    --------     -------
Balance at December 31, 1995 ...........  31,000       6,463     38,183     (45,444)        (74)     30,128
                                        --------    --------   --------    --------    --------     -------
   Conversion of preferred stock ....... (23,937)      2,506     21,431        --          --          --
   Issuance of common stock ............    --         3,082     59,033        --          --        62,115
   Restricted stock grants .............    --          --         --          --            41          41
   Net income attributable to
     common stock ......................    --          --         --        25,932        --        25,932
                                        --------    --------   --------    --------    --------     -------
Balance at December 31, 1996............$  7,063    $ 12,051   $118,647    $(19,512)   $    (33)   $118,216
                                        ========    ========   ========    ========    ========    ========


                        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
</TABLE>
                                      F-5

<PAGE>

<TABLE>

                    COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
              For the Years Ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996
<CAPTION>
                                                           1994           1995          1996
                                                           ----           ----          ----
                                                                     (In thousands)
<S>                                                      <C>          <C>            <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income (loss)......................................$ (1,492)    $(28,069)    $ 25,932
  Adjustments to reconcile income (loss) to
    net cash provided by operating activities:
    Loss on early extinguishment of debt.................     615         --           --
    Compensation paid in common stock....................     154          154          196
    Depreciation, depletion and amortization.............   7,390        8,613       18,642
    Impairment of oil and gas properties.................    --         29,150         --
    Deferred revenue.....................................    (561)         430         (430)
    Preferred stock dividends............................     818        1,908        2,021
    Exploration..........................................     --          --            436
    Gain on sales of property............................    (328)      (2,608)      (2,265)
    Other................................................     254         --           --
                                                         --------     --------     --------
      Working capital provided by operations.............   6,850        9,578       44,532
    Increase in accounts receivable......................  (3,288)      (6,272)      (4,764)
    Decrease in other current assets.....................     107           79           86
    Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses....   3,707        5,022        6,065
                                                         --------     --------     --------
      Net cash provided by operating activities..........   7,376        8,407       45,919
                                                         --------     --------     --------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
    Proceeds from sales of properties....................     396        3,085        9,016
    Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations........    --           --          3,036
    Collections of notes receivable......................     167         --           --
    Capital expenditures and acquisitions................ (16,386)     (61,809)    (111,962)
    Repurchase of volumetric production payment..........  (8,149)        --           --
                                                         --------     --------     --------
      Net cash used for investing activities............. (23,972)     (58,724)     (99,910)
                                                         --------     --------     --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
    Borrowings...........................................  34,880       58,404      172,150
    Proceeds from preferred stock issuances..............   6,000       15,000         --
    Proceeds from common stock issuances.................     215           25       61,503
    Stock issuance costs.................................    (332)         (95)        (863)
    Principal payments on debt........................... (21,497)     (24,525)    (163,853)
    Dividends paid on preferred stock....................    --           --           (701)
                                                         --------     --------     --------
      Net cash provided by financing activities..........  19,266       48,809       68,236
                                                         --------     --------     --------
        Net increase (decrease) in cash and
             cash equivalents.......                        2,670       (1,508)      14,245
        Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year.....     755        3,425        1,917
                                                         --------     --------     --------

        Cash and cash equivalents, end of year...........$  3,425     $  1,917     $ 16,162
                                                         ========     ========     ========


               The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

</TABLE>

                                      F-6


<PAGE>
                    COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1)  Business and Organization

     Comstock  Resources,   Inc.,  a  Nevada  corporation   (together  with  its
subsidiaries, the "Company"), was formed in 1919 as Comstock Tunnel and Drainage
Company. In 1987, the Company's name was changed to Comstock Resources, Inc. The
Company is primarily  engaged in the  acquisition,  development,  production and
exploration of oil and natural gas reserves in the United States.

(2)  Significant Accounting Policies

  Principles of Consolidation

     The consolidated  financial  statements include the accounts of the Company
and its wholly owned  subsidiaries.  All significant  intercompany  accounts and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

  Use of Estimates

     The  preparation  of financial  statements  in  conformity  with  generally
accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and
assumptions  that  affect the  reported  amounts of assets and  liabilities  and
disclosure of  contingent  assets and  liabilities  at the date of the financial
statements  and the  reported  amounts  of  revenues  and  expenses  during  the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

  Concentrations of Credit Risk

     Although the Company's cash equivalents and accounts receivable are exposed
to credit loss, the Company does not believe such risk to be  significant.  Cash
equivalents  are  high-grade,  short-term  securities,  placed with highly rated
financial  institutions.  Most of the Company's  accounts  receivable are from a
broad  and  diverse  group of oil and gas  companies  and,  accordingly,  do not
represent a significant credit risk.

  Oil and Gas Properties

     The Company follows the successful efforts method of accounting for its oil
and gas operations.  Under this method,  costs of productive wells,  development
dry  holes  and   productive   leases  are   capitalized   and  amortized  on  a
unit-of-production  basis  over the life of the  remaining  related  oil and gas
reserves.   Cost  centers  for   amortization   purposes  are  determined  on  a
field-by-field  basis. The estimated future costs of dismantlement,  restoration
and abandonment are accrued as part of depreciation,  depletion and amortization
expense and reflected in the accompanying  Consolidated  Balance Sheets in Other
Noncurrent Liabilities.

     Oil  and  gas  leasehold  costs  are  capitalized.  Unproved  oil  and  gas
properties with significant  acquisition costs are periodically assessed and any
impairment  in value is charged to  expense.  The costs of  unproved  properties
which are  determined to be  productive  are  transferred  to proved oil and gas
properties.

    Exploratory  expenses,  including  geological and geophysical  expenses and
delay  rentals  for oil and gas  leases,  are  charged to  expense as  incurred.
Exploratory  drilling costs are initially  capitalized as unproved  property but

                                      F-7
<PAGE>


charged to expense if and when the well is  determined  not to have found proved
oil and gas reserves.

     Prior to 1995, the Company periodically  reviewed the carrying value of its
proved oil and gas properties for impairment in value on a company-wide basis by
comparing  the  capitalized  costs of  proved  oil and gas  properties  with the
undiscounted future cash flows after income taxes attributable to proved oil and
gas properties.  Under this policy, no impairment in carrying value was required
during 1994. In 1995, the Company adopted the Statement of Financial  Accounting
Standards  No. 121 ("SFAS 121")  "Accounting  for the  Impairment  of Long-Lived
Assets and  Long-Lived  Assets to Be Disposed Of." SFAS 121 requires the Company
to  assess  the  need  for an  impairment  of  capitalized  costs of oil and gas
properties on a property by property  basis. If an impairment is indicated based
on undiscounted  expected future cash flows, then an impairment is recognized to
the extent that net  capitalized  costs exceed  discounted  expected future cash
flows.  In  connection  with the adoption of SFAS 121,  the Company  provided an
impairment of $29,150,000 in 1995. No impairment was required in 1996.

  Other Property and Equipment

     Other  property and  equipment of the Company  consists  primarily of a gas
gathering  system,  computer  equipment,  and furniture  and fixtures  which are
depreciated over estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis.

  Income Taxes

     Deferred  income taxes are provided to reflect the future tax  consequences
of  differences  between  the tax  basis of  assets  and  liabilities  and their
reported amounts in the financial statements using enacted tax rates.

  Earnings Per Share

     Net income (loss) attributable to common stock represents net income (loss)
less  preferred  stock  dividend   requirements  of  $818,000,   $1,908,000  and
$2,021,000 in 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively.  Net income (loss) attributable
to common stock per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable
to common  stock by the  weighted  average  number of shares of common stock and
common  stock  equivalents   outstanding   during  each  period.   Common  stock
equivalents include, when applicable,  dilutive stock options and warrants using
the treasury stock method. Fully diluted net income attributable to common stock
per share includes the dilutive  effect of the Company's  convertible  preferred
stock using the "if  converted"  method and dilutive  stock options and warrants
using the treasury stock method.

  Stock Based Employee Compensation

     In October 1995, the Financial  Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
of  Financial   Accounting  Standards  No.  123  ("SFAS  123")  "Accounting  for
Stock-Based  Compensation," which establishes accounting and reporting standards
for various stock based compensation  plans. SFAS 123 encourages the adoption of
a fair value based method of accounting for employee stock options,  but permits
continued   application  of  the  accounting  method  prescribed  by  Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 25 ("Opinion 25"),  "Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees."  The Company has  elected to  continue  to apply the  provisions  of
Opinion 25.  Under  Opinion 25, if the  exercise  price of the  Company's  stock
options equals the market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant, no
compensation  expense is recognized.  SFAS 123 requires  disclosure of pro forma
information  regarding  net income and  earnings per share as if the Company had
accounted  for its  employee  stock  options  under the fair value method of the
statement. See Note 9 "Stockholders' Equity."

                                      F-8

<PAGE>


  Statements of Cash Flows

     For the purpose of the  consolidated  statements of cash flows, the Company
considers all highly liquid  investments  purchased with an original maturity of
three months or less to be cash equivalents.

     The  following  is a  summary  of all  significant  noncash  investing  and
financing activities:

                                        For the Year Ended December 31,
                                            1994     1995     1996
                                            ----     ----     ----
                                              (In thousands)
Common stock issued in payment of
    preferred stock dividends ..........   $  818   $1,908   $1,320
Common stock issued for compensation....      113      113      154
Preferred stock issued to repurchase
    volumetric production payment ......    8,000     --       --

     The Company made cash payments for interest of  $2,600,000,  $5,836,000 and
$9,934,000 in 1994,  1995 and 1996,  respectively.  The Company did not make any
cash  payments  for income  taxes in any of the three years in the period  ended
December 31, 1996.

(3)  Acquisitions of Oil and Gas Properties

     In 1995, the Company completed three  acquisitions of producing oil and gas
properties.  On May 15, 1995,  the Company  purchased  interests in 14 producing
offshore oil and gas properties located in Louisiana state waters in the Gulf of
Mexico for a net purchase  price of $7.0 million.  On July 31, 1995, the Company
purchased  interests in certain producing oil and gas properties located in East
Texas and North  Louisiana for a net purchase price of $48.1  million.  In 1995,
the Company  acquired  interests in two producing wells in South Louisiana for a
net purchase price of $1.0 million.

     On May 1 and May 2, 1996, the Company  purchased  working  interests in the
Double A Wells field in Polk County,  Texas for a net  purchase  price of $100.4
million.  The  Company  acquired  100% of the  capital  stock of Black Stone Oil
Company,  the operator of the field,  together with additional interests held by
other working  interest owners in 19 producing oil and gas properties as well as
interests in adjacent undeveloped oil and gas leases.

     The 1995 and 1996  acquisitions  were  accounted for utilizing the purchase
method of accounting.  The  accompanying  consolidated  statements of operations
include the results of operations from the acquired properties  beginning on the
dates that the  acquisitions  were closed.  The following  table  summarizes the
unaudited  pro  forma  effect  on  the  Company's  consolidated   statements  of
operations  as if the  acquisitions  consummated  in 1995  and in  1996  and the
property  divestitures  which closed in May 1996 as described in Note 5 "Sale of
Oil and Gas Properties"  had been closed on January 1, 1995.  Future results may
differ  substantially  from pro forma results due to changes in prices  received
for oil and gas sold, production declines and other factors.  Therefore, the pro
forma amounts should not be considered indicative of future operations.

                                      F-9

<PAGE>


                                                          Unaudited
                                                    1995            1996
                                                  Pro Forma       Pro Forma
                                                  ---------       ---------


Revenues                                          $ 46,465        $ 79,398
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
   attributable to common stock                    (29,183)         28,339
Net income (loss) from continuing
   operations per share:
   Primary                                           (2.33)           1.73
   Fully diluted                                                      1.42

(4)  Repurchase of Production Payments

     On July 22, 1994, the Company  exchanged one million shares of newly issued
preferred stock, with a par value of $10.0 million and an estimated market value
of $8.0  million,  and $10.2 million in cash to  repurchase  certain  production
payments  previously  conveyed by the Company to a major  natural gas company in
November 1991. (See Note 9 "Stockholders'  Equity" for further discussion of the
preferred  stock.) The exchange was effective  April 1, 1994.  The Company had a
remaining  obligation  to deliver 10.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas under a
volumetric  production payment and had an obligation to repay $2.5 million under
a monetary  based  production  payment.  The  consideration  paid to acquire the
natural gas reserves subject to the volumetric  production  payment exceeded the
deferred revenue associated with the original sale of the volumetric  production
payment by  approximately  $3.0 million.  This amount was capitalized as oil and
gas properties in the accompanying financial statements.

(5)  Sale of Oil and Gas Properties

     In 1996, the Company sold certain oil and gas properties for  approximately
$9.0  million.  The  properties  sold include  interests in all of the Company's
producing  wells located in Oklahoma,  Arkansas,  Nebraska and Kansas as well as
certain  deep  rights in a field in South  Texas and  certain  of the  Company's
acreage in the Texas Panhandle  field.  The properties  sold were  non-strategic
assets  to the  Company.  A gain  from the  property  sales of $1.4  million  is
included in the accompanying statement of operations for 1996.

(6)  Oil and Gas Producing Activities

     Set forth below is certain information  regarding the aggregate capitalized
costs of oil and gas  properties  and  costs  incurred  in oil and gas  property
acquisition, development and exploration activities:

  Capitalized Costs
                                                               December 31,
                                                            1995         1996
                                                            ----         ----
                                                              (In thousands)

   Proved properties                                      $154,844     $239,671
   Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization    (55,183)     (53,953)
                                                          --------     --------
                                                          $ 99,661     $185,718
                                                          ========     ========

                                      F-10

<PAGE>


  Costs Incurred
                                                   Year Ended December 31,
                                                  1994        1995        1996
                                                  ----        ----        ----
                                                         (In thousands)

       Acquisition of proved properties       $  13,576    $ 56,093   $ 100,539
       Development costs                          1,490       3,666      10,936
       Exploration costs                           --          --           436
                                              ---------   ---------   ---------
                                              $  15,066   $  59,759   $ 111,911
                                              =========   =========   =========

     The  following  presents the results of operations of oil and gas producing
activities for the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996:

                                                   Year Ended December 31,
                                                  1994        1995        1996
                                                  ----        ----        ----
                                                         (In thousands)

Oil and gas sales                             $  16,855   $  22,091   $  68,915
Production costs                                 (6,099)     (7,427)    (13,838)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization         (7,149)     (8,277)    (18,162)
Impairment of oil and gas properties               --       (29,150)       --
Operating income (loss)                           3,607     (22,763)     36,915
                                              ---------   ---------   ---------
Income tax expense                                 --          --          --
                                              ---------   ---------   ---------
Results of operations (excluding general
  and administrative and interest expenses)   $   3,607   $ (22,763)  $  36,915
                                              =========   =========   =========
(7)  Long-Term Debt

     Total debt at December 31, 1995 and 1996 consists of the following:

                                               1995             1996
                                               ----             ----
                                                   (In thousands)

     Bridge loan                            $ 10,000         $   --
     Bank credit facility                     61,590           80,000
     12% subordinated notes                      206               94
     Other                                        15               14
                                            --------         --------
                                              71,811           80,108
     Less current portion                    (18,677)            (108)
                                            --------         --------
                                            $ 53,134         $ 80,000
                                            ========         ========

     In  connection  with the $100.4  million oil and gas  property  acquisition
closed in May 1996, the Company  entered into a $176.0  million credit  facility
with two banks, consisting of a $166.0 million revolving credit commitment and a
$10.0 million  short-term  bridge loan. The Company  financed the $100.4 million
acquisition  and refinanced  $68.7 million  outstanding  under its existing bank
credit facility with borrowings under the bank credit facility. On May 15, 1996,
the Company  repaid the $10.0 million  bridge loan  primarily from proceeds from
certain  asset sales.  On August 13,  1996,  the Company  refinanced  the $166.0
million  credit  facility with a syndication  of eleven banks in which The First
National Bank of Chicago serves as agent. The new revolving credit facility will
convert  to a term loan on  August  13,  1999.  The term loan is to be repaid in
consecutive  quarterly  installments of 5% of the original outstanding principal
balance with the final balance due in full on August 13, 2001.

                                      F-11
<PAGE>


     As of December 31, 1996,  the Company had $80.0 million  outstanding  under
the new bank revolving  credit  facility.  Borrowings  under the new bank credit
facility  cannot exceed a borrowing base  determined  semiannually by the banks.
The borrowing base at December 31, 1996 was $166.0 million.  Amounts outstanding
under the new bank credit facility bear interest at a floating rate based on The
First  National  Bank of Chicago's  base rate (as defined)  plus 1/2% or, at the
Company's  option,  at a fixed  rate for up to six  months  based on the  London
Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus 1.25% to 2% depending upon the utilization
of the available borrowing base. As of December 31, 1996, the Company had placed
the  outstanding  advances under the revolving  credit facility under fixed rate
loans  based on LIBOR at an average  rate of  approximately  6.9% per annum.  In
addition,  the  Company  incurs a  commitment  fee of 1/4% to 1/2% on the unused
portion of the borrowing  bases  depending upon the utilization of the available
borrowing base.

     On February 4, 1997,  the bank  credit  agreement  was amended to lower the
interest rate to The First  National Bank of Chicago's base rate plus 0% to 1/4%
or,  at the  Company's  option,  LIBOR  plus  3/4% to 1 1/2%,  depending  on the
utilization of the available  borrowing  base. The commitment fee was lowered to
1/4% to 3/8% per annum of the unused portion of the borrowing base.

     Aggregate  maturities of long-term debt for the five years ending  December
31, are as follows:

                                      (In thousands)

                         1997           $   108
                         1998              --
                         1999             8,000
                         2000            16,000
                         2001            56,000
                                        -------
                                        $80,108
                                        =======

(8)  Lease Commitments

     The Company rents office space under certain noncancellable leases and also
leases  data  processing  time  under a  noncancellable  lease.  Minimum  future
payments under the leases are as follows:

                                      (In thousands)

                         1997              $261
                         1998               236
                         1999               177

(9)  Stockholders' Equity

  Common Stock

     Under a plan adopted by the Board of Directors,  non-employee directors can
elect to receive  shares of common stock valued at the then current market price
in payment of annual director and consulting  fees. Under this plan, the Company
issued 37,667; 27,815; and 37,117 shares of common stock in 1994, 1995 and 1996,
respectively,  in payment of fees aggregating $113,000;  $113,000;  and $154,000
for 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively.

                                      F-12
<PAGE>


     Each of the Company's  preferred stock series provides that the Company can
issue  common  stock in lieu of cash for  payment of  quarterly  dividends.  The
Company  issued  310,298;  546,046;  and 249,453 shares of common stock in 1994,
1995 and 1996,  respectively,  in payment of dividends on its preferred stock of
$818,000; $1,908,000; and $1,320,000 in 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively.

     On December 2, 1996, the Company  completed a public  offering of 5,795,000
shares  of  common  stock of which  4,000,000  (4,869,250  including  the  over-
allotment  option which was  exercised on December 12, 1996) shares were sold by
the Company and 1,795,000 shares were sold by certain stockholders. Net proceeds
to the  Company,  after the  undderwriting  discount  and other  expenses,  were
approximately  $57.0  million  and were  used to reduce  indebtedness  under the
Company's revolving bank credit facility.

     During 1996,  options and warrants to purchase  common stock of the Company
were  exercised at prices  ranging  from $2.00 to $5.75 per share for  1,007,177
shares of common stock  yielding  net  proceeds to the Company of  approximately
$3.6 million.

  Preferred Stock

     On January 7, 1994,  the  Company  sold  600,000  shares of its Series 1994
Convertible  Preferred  Stock,  $10  par  value  per  share  (the  "Series  1994
Preferred"),  in a private placement for $6.0 million. Dividends were payable at
the  quarterly  rate of  $0.225 on each  outstanding  share of the  Series  1994
Preferred (9% per annum of the par value). On September 16, 1996, the holders of
the  Series  1994  Preferred  converted  all of the  shares of the  Series  1994
Preferred into 1,500,000 shares of common stock of the Company.

     On July 22, 1994, the Company issued  1,000,000 shares of its 1994 Series B
Convertible  Preferred  Stock,  $10 par  value  per share  (the  "1994  Series B
Preferred"),  in connection with the repurchase of certain  production  payments
previously  conveyed by the Company to a major  natural gas  company.  Dividends
were payable at the quarterly rate of $0.15625 on each outstanding  share (6.25%
per  annum of the par  value).  On July  11,  1996,  the  Company  redeemed  the
1,000,000  shares of the 1994 Series B Preferred by issuing  2,000,000 shares of
common stock of the Company.

     On June 19,  1995,  the Company  sold  1,500,000  shares of its Series 1995
Convertible  Preferred  Stock,  $10  par  value  per  share  (the  "Series  1995
Preferred"), in a private placement for $15.0 million. The Series 1995 Preferred
bears quarterly  dividends at the rate of $0.225 on each  outstanding  share (9%
per annum of the par value).  Dividends are payable  quarterly in cash or shares
of the Company's  common stock,  at the election of the Company.  On December 2,
1996,  holders of 793,677  shares of the Series 1995 Preferred  converted  their
preferred shares into 1,511,761 shares of common stock of the Company.

     On June 30, 2000 and on each June 30, thereafter,  so long as any shares of
the Series 1995  Preferred are  outstanding,  the Company is obligated to redeem
141,265 shares of the Series 1995 Preferred at $10.00 per share plus accrued and
unpaid dividends.  The mandatory  redemption price may be paid either in cash or
in shares of common  stock,  at the option of the  Company.  The  holders of the
Series 1995  Preferred have the option to convert all or any part of such shares
into shares of common stock of the Company at any time at the initial conversion
price of $5.25 per share of common stock, subject to adjustment. The Company has
the option to redeem the shares of Series 1995  Preferred  after  providing  the
holders of the Series 1995  Preferred a specified  rate of return on the initial
purchase.

                                      F-13
<PAGE>


  Stock Options and Warrants

     On July 16, 1991,  the Company's  stockholders  approved the 1991 Long-Term
Incentive Plan (the  "Incentive  Plan") for the Company's  management  including
officers,  directors and managerial employees. The Incentive Plan authorizes the
grant of  non-qualified  stock options and incentive stock options and the grant
of  restricted  stock to key  executives  of the Company.  On May 15, 1996,  the
Company's  stockholders  approved an amendment to the Incentive Plan  increasing
the shares to be awarded by  1,240,000.  As of December 31, 1996,  the Incentive
Plan provided for future  awards of stock options or restricted  stock grants of
up to  1,064,000  shares of common  stock  plus 10% of any future  issuances  of
common stock.

     Non-qualified stock options awarded under the Incentive Plan are summarized
below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Exercise Price
                                      $ 2.00       $ 2.50      $ 3.00      $ 4.81      $ 6.56     $11.00
                                      ------       ------      ------      ------      ------     ------
                                                                 (In thousands)

<S>                                   <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>
Outstanding at December 31, 1993         525          179          85        --          --          --
Exercised in 1994                       --            (21)        (15)       --          --          --
Forfeited in 1994                       --            (49)       --          --          --          --
                                      ------       ------      ------      ------      ------     ------
Outstanding at December 31, 1994         525          109          70        --          --          --
                                      ------       ------      ------      ------      ------     ------
Granted in 1995                         --           --            98        --          --          --
Exercised in 1995                       --            (10)       --          --          --          --
                                      ------       ------      ------      ------      ------     ------
Outstanding at December 31, 1995         525           99         168        --          --          --
Granted in 1996                         --           --          --           326         280      1,327
Exercised in 1996                        (54)         (14)         (8)        (37)       --          --
Forfeited in 1996                       --           --          --          --           (10)       --
                                      ------       ------      ------      ------      ------     ------
Outstanding at December 31, 1996         471           85         160         289         270      1,327
                                      ------       ------      ------      ------      ------     ------
Exercisable at December 31, 1996         399           73         160         259         270        --
                                      ======       ======      ======      ======      ======     ======
</TABLE>

     The exercise  price of stock options under the Incentive Plan is the market
value  of the  stock  at  the  date  the  option  is  granted.  Accordingly,  no
compensation expense is recognized by the Company with respect to such grants.

     Pro forma  information  regarding  net  income  and  earnings  per share is
required by SFAS 123, and has been  determined  as if the Company had  accounted
for its employee and director  stock options under the fair value method of that
statement. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant
using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average
assumptions used for grants in 1995 and 1996,  respectively:  no dividend yield,
expected volatility of 55.4% and 54.1%, and risk free interest rates of 6.8% and
6.3%.

      Year of        Option        Exercise      Expected      Fair
       Grant         Shares          Price         Life        Value
       -----         ------          -----         ----        -----

       1995           98,000       $ 3.00           5.2        $1.69
       1996          326,000         4.81           4.9         2.58
       1996           20,000         6.56           5.0         3.54
       1996          260,000         6.56           5.5         3.70
       1996        1,327,000        11.00           8.9         7.60


                                      F-14
<PAGE>




     For  purposes of pro forma  disclosures,  the  estimated  fair value of the
options is amortized to expense over the options' vesting period.  The Company's
pro forma information follows:

                                              1995                 1996
                                              ----                 ----
                                      As          Pro        As           Pro
                                   Reported      Forma    Reported       Forma
                                   --------      -----    --------       -----
                                     (In thousands except per share amounts)

     Net income from continuing
          operations               $(31,333)    $(31,498)   $24,066     $20,296
     Net income from continuing
          operations per share:    
               Primary               $(2.50)      $(2.51)     $1.47       $1.24
               Fully diluted                                   1.22        0.95

     The  effects  of  applying  SFAS 123 in this pro forma  disclosure  are not
indicative of future amounts, as SFAS 123 does not apply to awards prior to 1995
and additional awards are anticipated in future years.

     The Company also has options to purchase common stock outstanding that were
issued in  connection  with an oil and gas property  acquisition.  The following
table  summarizes  stock options  outstanding  at December 31, 1996,  other than
those issued under the Incentive Plan:

                Number
               of Shares        Exercise
             (In thousands)      Price           Expiration Date
              -----------        -----           ---------------

                 110             $5.00              October 1999
                  38              5.00              November 1999
                 138              5.00              December 1999
                ----
                 286
                ====

  Restricted Stock Grants

     Under the Incentive Plan, officers and managerial  employees of the Company
may be granted a right to receive  shares of the Company's  common stock without
cost to the employee.  The shares vest over a ten-year  period with credit given
for past service rendered to the Company.

     The  following is a summary of shares of  restricted  common stock  awarded
under the Incentive Plan:

                                            1994           1995         1996
                                            ----           ----         ----
                                                      (In thousands)
     Outstanding at beginning of year        330            330          330
     Canceled or expired                      --             --           --
     Outstanding at end of year              330            330          330
                                            ----           ----         ----
     Vested shares                           225            255          285
                                            ====           ====         ====

     A  provision  for the  restricted  stock  grants is made  ratably  over the
vesting period.  Compensation expense recognized for restricted stock grants was
$41,000 for each the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996.


                                      F-15
<PAGE>


(10)  Significant Customers

     During 1994, sales to one purchaser of natural gas accounted for 21% of the
Company's 1994 oil and gas sales.  During 1996,  sales to one purchaser of crude
oil and one purchaser of natural gas accounted for 17% and 31%, respectively, of
the Company's 1996 oil and gas sales..  No single  purchaser  accounted for more
than 10% of the Company's total oil and gas sales in 1995.

(11)  Income Taxes

     Deferred  tax  assets  (liabilities)  at  December  31,  1995  and 1996 are
comprised of the following:

                                                    1995         1996
                                                    ----         ----
                                                      (In thousands)
          Net deferred tax asset (liabilities):
               Property and equipment              $  2,548    $ (6,399)
               Net operating loss carryforwards      10,544       6,255
               Other carryforwards                     --           320
               Valuation allowance                  (13,092)       (176)
                                                   --------    -------- 
                                                   $   --      $   --  
                                                   ========    ========
          
          
     No income tax  provision was  recognized  in 1994,  1995 or 1996 due to the
availability  of net  operating  loss  carryforwards  to offset  any  current or
deferred income tax liabilities.

     The Company has net operating loss  carryforwards  of  approximately  $17.9
million as of December 31, 1996, for income tax reporting  purposes which expire
in varying amounts from 1997 to 2011.

(12)  Related Party Transactions

     The  Company  serves  as  general  partner  of  Comstock  DR-II  Oil  & Gas
Acquisition Limited Partnership  ("Comstock DR-II"). For 1994, 1995 and 1996 the
Company  received  $87,000 in management  fees each year from Comstock DR-II and
earned  acquisition fees from Comstock DR-II of  approximately  $56,000 in 1994.
Included in accounts  receivable  in the  accompanying  financial  statements is
approximately  $380,000 and $93,000  receivable  from Comstock DR-II at December
31, 1995 and 1996, respectively.

     In 1994, the Company  purchased an additional  17% working  interest in the
Bivins  Ranch  lease  covering  certain  oil and  gas  properties  in the  Texas
Panhandle field from certain of the Company's shareholders, including trusts for
the benefit of two of the Company's directors' family members, certain relatives
of one of the Company's directors and other unaffiliated investors.  The Company
paid for the purchase of such interests by assuming  outstanding  joint interest
payables on the properties aggregating $186,000,  paying $365,000 in cash and by
granting the sellers  options to purchase an aggregate of 503,557  shares of the
Company's  common stock at a price of $5.00 per share.  The options  expire five
years from the date of grant.


                                      F-16
<PAGE>


     From  August 1, 1995 to December  1, 1996,  the  Company  was the  managing
general partner and owned a 20.31% limited partner interest in Crosstex Pipeline
Partners,  Ltd.  ("Crosstex").  The Company sold its interest in connection with
the sale of its  third  party  natural  gas  marketing  operations  (see Note 14
"Discontinued Operations"). The Company received $39,000 and $82,000 in fees for
management  and  construction  services  provided  to Crosstex in 1995 and 1996,
respectively. In addition, Crosstex reimbursed the Company $104,000 and $228,000
for direct expenses  incurred in connection  with managing  Crosstex in 1995 and
1996,  respectively.  The Company  paid  $158,000  and  $477,000 to Crosstex for
transportation of its natural gas production in 1995 and 1996, respectively.

(13)  Price Risk Management

     The Company  periodically uses derivative  financial  instruments to manage
natural gas price risk. The Company's realized gains and losses  attributable to
its price risk management activities are as follows:

                                  1994         1995       1996
                                  ----         ----       ----
                                          (In thousands)

         Realized Gains        $   726      $   913     $   509
         Realized Losses             9           28       1,643

     As of  December  31,  1995 and 1996,  the  Company  had no open  derivative
financial instruments held for price risk management.

(14)  Discontinued Operations

     In December  1996,  the Company sold its third party  natural gas marketing
operations and substantially all of its related gas gathering and gas processing
assets for approximately $3.0 million. The Company realized a $818,000 gain from
the sale.  The  Company's gas  gathering,  processing  and marketing  segment is
accounted  for  as  discontinued   operations  in  the  accompanying   financial
statements,  and accordingly,  the results of the gas gathering,  processing and
marketing  operations  as well as the gain on  disposal  are  segregated  in the
accompanying statements of operations.

     The  Consolidated  Balance  Sheet as of  December  31,  1995  includes  the
following assets and liabilities related to the discontinued segment:

                                                         (In thousands)

         Accounts Receivable                                $ 8,025
         Other Current Assets                                   113
         Net Property and Equipment                           2,251
         Other Assets                                           421
         Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses               (8,829)
         Other Noncurrent Liabilities                          (300)
                                                            -------
                                                            $ 1,681
                                                            =======

                                      F-17

<PAGE>


     Income for discontinued gas gathering,  processing and marketing operations
included in the  Consolidated  Statements  of  Operations  is  comprised  of the
following:

                                                Year Ended December 31,
                                             1994        1995        1996
                                             ----        ----        ----
                                                    (In thousands)

Revenues                                   $ 15,029    $ 50,713    $ 85,398
Operating costs                             (14,532)    (49,118)    (83,168)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization        (40)       (234)       (373)
General and administrative, net                (228)       (686)       (809)
Gain on sales of property                      --         2,589        --
Gain on disposal of segment                    --          --           818
Provision for income taxes                     --          --          --
                                           --------    --------    --------
Income from discontinued operations        $    229    $  3,264    $  1,866
                                           ========    ========    ========
(15)  Supplementary Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

<TABLE>

<CAPTION>
                                                     First        Second        Third       Fourth        Total
                                                   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------     --------
                                                                     (In thousands, except per share amounts)
<S>                                                <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>     
1996 -
   Total revenues..................................$   9,628    $  17,890    $  19,943    $  23,494     $ 70,955
                                                   =========    =========    =========    =========     ========
   Net income attributable to common stock from
     continuing operations.........................$   1,922    $   6,258    $   6,590    $   9,296     $ 24,066
   Net income from discontinued operations.........      454          135          253        1,024        1,866
                                                   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------     --------
   Net income attributable to common stock.........$   2,376    $   6,393    $   6,843    $  10,320     $ 25,932
                                                   =========    =========    =========    =========     ========
   Primary net income per share:
     Continuing operations.........................$    0.14    $    0.44    $    0.39    $    0.45     $   1.47
     Discontinued operations.......................     0.04         0.01         0.02         0.05         0.11
                                                   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------     --------
     Net income per share..........................$    0.18    $    0.45    $    0.41    $    0.50     $   1.58
                                                   =========    =========    =========    =========     ========
   Fully diluted net income per share:
     Continuing operations.........................$    0.13    $    0.33    $    0.33    $    0.42     $   1.22
     Discontinued operations.......................     0.02         0.01         0.01         0.04         0.09
                                                   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------     --------
     Net income per share..........................$    0.15    $    0.34    $    0.34    $    0.46     $   1.31
                                                   =========    =========    =========    =========     ========
1995 -
   Total revenues..................................$   3,886    $   4,621    $   5,954    $   7,913     $ 22,374
                                                   =========    =========    =========    =========     ========
   Net loss attributable to common stock
     from continuing operations....................$    (945)   $    (290)   $    (871)   $ (29,227)    $(31,333)
   Net income from discontinued operations.........      224          188        2,687          165        3,264
                                                   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------     --------
   Net income (loss) attributable to common stock..$    (721)   $    (102)   $   1,816    $ (29,062)    $(28,069)
                                                   =========    =========    =========    =========     ========
   Net income (loss) per share:
     Continuing operations.........................$   (0.08)   $   (0.02)   $   (0.07)   $   (2.29)    $  (2.50)
     Discontinued operations.......................     0.02         0.01         0.21         0.01         0.26
                                                   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------     --------

     Net income (loss) per share...................$   (0.06)   $   (0.01)   $    0.14    $   (2.28)    $  (2.24)
                                                   =========    =========    =========    =========     ========

</TABLE>
                                      F-18


<PAGE>


(16)  Oil and Gas Reserves Information (Unaudited)

     The estimates of proved oil and gas reserves utilized in the preparation of
the financial  statements were estimated by independent  petroleum  engineers in
accordance with guidelines established by the Securities and Exchange Commission
and the Financial Accounting Standards Board, which require that reserve reports
be prepared under existing  economic and operating  conditions with no provision
for  price  and cost  escalation  except by  contractual  agreement.  All of the
Company's  reserves are located onshore in or offshore to the continental United
States.

     Future prices received for production and future production costs may vary,
perhaps  significantly,  from the prices and costs assumed for purposes of these
estimates.  There can be no assurance that the proved reserves will be developed
within the periods  indicated  or that  prices and costs will  remain  constant.
There can be no  assurance  that  actual  production  will  equal the  estimated
amounts used in the preparation of reserve projections.

     There are  numerous  uncertainties  inherent in  estimating  quantities  of
proved  reserves  and in  projecting  future rates of  production  and timing of
development expenditures.  Oil and gas reserve engineering must be recognized as
a subjective process of estimating underground accumulations of oil and gas that
cannot be measured  in an exact way,  and  estimates  of other  engineers  might
differ  materially from those shown below.  The accuracy of any reserve estimate
is a function of the quality of available  data and  engineering  and geological
interpretation and judgment.  Results of drilling,  testing and production after
the date of the estimate may justify revisions.  Accordingly,  reserve estimates
are  often  materially  different  from the  quantities  of oil and gas that are
ultimately recovered. Reserve estimates are integral in management's analysis of
impairments  of oil and gas  properties  and the  calculation  of  depreciation,
depletion and amortization on those properties.

     The  following  unaudited  table sets forth  proved oil and gas reserves at
December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        1994                    1995                     1996
                                        ----                    ----                     ----
                                  Oil          Gas         Oil        Gas          Oil        Gas
                                (MBbls)      (MMcf)      (MBbls)     (MMcf)       (MBbls)    (MMcf)
                                -------     -------      -------     ------       -------    ------
<S>                               <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>       <C>    
Proved Reserves:
Beginning of year                 6,111      74,363       5,119      92,840       3,779     173,165
  Revisions of previous
    estimates                    (1,135)     (3,301)     (2,843)    (18,810)        243      (5,926)
  Extensions and discoveries         19       4,453        --          --           613         551
  Purchases of minerals
    in place(1)                     388      23,466       1,859     108,432       5,930     100,446
  Sales of minerals in place         (1)        (84)       --          --          (619)    (14,365)
  Production(1)                    (263)     (6,057)       (356)     (9,297)       (952)    (19,427)
                                 ------     -------      ------     -------      ------     -------
End of year                       5,119      92,840       3,779     173,165       8,994     234,444
                                 ======     =======      ======     =======      ======     =======
Proved Developed Reserves:
  Beginning of year               1,655      42,909       1,504      62,827       2,562     130,375
                                 ======     =======      ======     =======      ======     =======
  End of year                     1,504      62,827       2,562     130,375       6,953     187,247
                                 ======     =======      ======     =======      ======     =======
</TABLE>

      (1) 1994 excludes 457 MMcf of gas production  delivered to a major natural
          gas company under a volumetric  production  payment and 1994 purchases
          of minerals in place  includes  10,722 MMcf for the  repurchase of the
          volumetric production payment.

                                      F-19

<PAGE>


     The  following  table sets  forth the  standardized  measure of  discounted
future net cash flows relating to proved reserves at December 31, 1995 and 1996:

                                                     1995           1996
                                                     ----           ----
                                                        (In thousands)
Cash Flows Relating to Proved Reserves:
  Future Cash Flows                             $   426,131    $ 1,120,601
  Future Costs:
        Production                                 (121,727)      (202,722)
        Development                                 (39,462)       (47,548)
                                                -----------    -----------
  Future Net Cash Flows Before Income Taxes         264,942        870,331
  Future Income Taxes                               (45,175)      (239,065)
                                                -----------    -----------
  Future Net Cash Flows                             219,767        631,266
  10% Discount Factor                               (73,261)      (240,844)
                                                -----------    -----------
Standardized Measure of Discounted Future
           Net Cash Flows                       $   146,506    $   390,422
                                                ===========    ===========


     In accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission's guidelines, the
Company's  independent  petroleum  engineers' estimates of future net cash flows
from the  Company's  proved  properties  and the present  value thereof are made
using  oil and  natural  gas  sales  prices  in  effect  as of the dates of such
estimates and are held constant  throughout the life of the properties.  Average
prices used in  estimating  the future net cash flows at  December  31, 1995 and
1996 were as  follows:  $18.00  and  $24.61 per barrel for oil in 1995 and 1996,
respectively,  and $2.07 and  $3.84  per Mcf for  natural  gas in 1995 and 1996,
respectively.

     The following table sets forth the changes in the  standardized  measure of
discounted future net cash flows relating to proved reserves for the years ended
December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             1994          1995        1996
                                                             ----          ----        ----
                                                                       (In thousands)
<S>                                                       <C>          <C>          <C>      
Standardized Measure, Beginning of Year                   $  60,757    $  78,481    $ 146,506
     Net Change in Sales Price, Net of Production Costs      (3,392)       9,450      132,094
     Development Costs Incurred During the Year Which
        Were Previously Estimated                               347          822        5,934
     Revisions of Quantity Estimates                         (6,457)     (30,298)      (7,612)
     Accretion of Discount                                    6,095        7,874       14,829
     Changes in Future Development Costs                      2,695       13,248       (5,801)
     Changes in Timing and Other                             (2,883)      (2,590)     (13,165)
     Extensions and Discoveries                               3,582         --          9,216
     Purchases of Reserves In Place                          28,083       85,706      282,150
     Sales of Reserves In Place                                 (84)        --        (10,342)
     Sales, Net of Production Costs                         (10,194)     (14,664)     (55,077)
     Net Changes in Income Taxes                                (68)      (1,523)    (108,310)
                                                          ---------    ---------    ---------
Standardized Measure, End of Year                         $  78,481    $ 146,506    $ 390,422
                                                          =========    =========    =========

</TABLE>


                                      F-20

<PAGE>


                           INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.                        Description                            Page
- -----------    --------------------------------------------------------  ------
3.1            Restated  Articles  of  Incorporation  of  the  Company
               (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  3.1  to  the
               Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
               December 31, 1995 (the "1995 Form 10-K").

 3.2           Bylaws of the Company  (incorporated  by  reference  to
               Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's  Registration Statement on
               Form S-3, dated October 25, 1996).

 4.2(a)        Rights  Agreement dated as of December 10, 1990, by and
               between  the  Company and  Society  National  Bank,  as
               Rights  Agent  (incorporated  herein  by  reference  to
               Exhibit 1 to the  Company's  Registration  Statement on
               Form 8-A, dated December 14, 1990).

 4.2(b)        First Amendment to the Rights Agreement, by and between
               the Company and Society  National  Bank  (successor  to
               Ameritrust Texas, N.A.), as Rights Agent, dated January
               7, 1994  (incorporated  herein by  reference to Exhibit
               3.6 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
               year ended December 31, 1993).

 4.2(c)        Second  Amendment  to  the  Rights  Agreement,  by  and
               between the Company and Bank One, Texas N.A. (successor
               to Society National Bank), as Rights Agent, dated April
               1, 1995  (incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 4.7 to
               the Company's 1995 Form 10-K).

 4.2(d)        Third Amendment to the Rights Agreement, by and between
               the  Company  and Bank One,  Texas N.A.  (successor  to
               Society National Bank), as Rights Agent, dated April 1,
               1995  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the
               Company's 1995 Form 10-K).

 4.2(e)        Fourth  Amendment  to  the  Rights  Agreement,  by  and
               between the Company and Bank One, Texas N.A. (successor
               to Society National Bank), as Rights Agent, dated April
               1, 1995  (incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 4.9 to
               the Company's 1995 Form 10-K).

 4.3           Certificate of  Designation,  Preferences and Rights of
               Series A Junior  Participating  Preferred  Stock  dated
               December 6, 1990  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
               4.3 to the  Company's  Registration  Statement  on Form
               S-3, dated October 25, 1996).

4.4            Certificate    of    Voting    Powers,    Designations,
               Preferences, and Relative,  Participating,  Optional or
               Other  Special  Rights of the Series  1995  Convertible
               Preferred  Stock  (incorporated  herein by reference to
               Exhibit 3(a) to the  Company's  Current  Report on Form
               8-K dated June 19, 1995).

                                 E-1

<PAGE>


                           INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.                        Description                            Page
- -----------    --------------------------------------------------------  ------
10.1(a)        Credit Agreement,  dated as of August 13, 1996, between
               the  Company,  the Banks  Party  thereto  and The First
               National Bank of Chicago, as agent (incorporated herein
               by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly
               Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
               1996).

10.1(b)*       Amendment No. 1 to the Credit  Agreement dated November    E-4 
               26, 1996, between the Company,  the Banks party thereto
               and The First National Bank of Chicago, as agent.

10.1(c)*       Amendment No. 2 to the Credit  Agreement dated February    E-9
               4, 1997  between the Company,  the Banks party  thereto
               and the First National Bank of Chicago, as agent.

10.2           Employment Agreement dated July 1, 1996, by and between
               the  Company  and  M.  Jay  Allison   (incorporated  by
               reference  to Exhibit 10.2 to the  Company's  Quarterly
               Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
               1996).

10.3           Employment Agreement dated July 1, 1996, by and between
               the  Company  and  Roland  O.  Burns  (incorporated  by
               reference  to Exhibit 10.3 to the  Company's  Quarterly
               Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
               1996).

 10.4(a)       Comstock Resources, Inc. 1991 Long-term Incentive Plan,
               dated as of  April  1,  1991  (incorporated  herein  by
               reference  to  Exhibit  10.8  to the  Company's  Annual
               Report on Form  10-K for the year  ended  December  31,
               1991).

10.4(b)        Amendment  No. 1 to the Comstock  Resources,  Inc. 1991
               Long-term  Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to
               Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's  Quarterly Report on Form
               10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996).

10.5           Form of  Nonqualified  Stock  Option  Agreement,  dated
               April 2, 1991, between the Company and certain officers
               and  directors of the Company  (incorporated  herein by
               reference  to  Exhibit  10.9  to the  Company's  Annual
               Report on Form  10-K for the year  ended  December  31,
               1991).

10.6           Form of  Restricted  Stock  Agreement,  dated  April 2,
               1991,  between the Company and certain  officers of the
               Company  (incorporated  herein by  reference to Exhibit
               10.10 to the  Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for
               the year ended December 31, 1991).

                                 E-2

<PAGE>


                           INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.                        Description                            Page
- -----------    --------------------------------------------------------  ------
10.7           Form of Stock Option Agreement,  dated October 12, 1994
               by and between the Company and  Christopher T. H. Pell,
               et al  (incorporated  herein by  reference  to  Exhibit
               10.18 to the  Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for
               the year ended December 31, 1994).

10.8           Lease Agreement,  dated as of December 20, 1994, by and
               between the Company and  Occidental  Tower  Corporation
               (incorporated  herein by reference to Exhibit  10.19 to
               the  Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
               ended December 31, 1994).

21*            Subsidiaries of the Company.                               E-17

23*            Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.                            E-18

27*            Financial Data Schedule.                                   E-19
- ------------------
*Filed herewith.

                                 E-3




                       FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

         THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of November
26,  1996  (this  "Amendment"),  is  among  COMSTOCK  RESOURCES,  INC.  a Nevada
corporation  ("CRI"),  COMSTOCK OIL & GAS, INC., a Nevada  corporation  ("COG"),
COMSTOCK OIL & GAS - LOUISIANA,  INC., a Nevada corporation  ("COGL"),  COMSTOCK
OFFSHORE ENERGY,  INC., a Delaware  corporation  ("COE"),  COMSTOCK NATURAL GAS,
INC.,  a Nevada  corporation  ("CNG")  and  BLACK  STONE  OIL  COMPANY,  a Texas
corporation  ("Black  Stone")  (CRI,  COG,  COGL,  COE,  CNG and Black Stone may
hereinafter  collectively be referred to as the "Borrowers"),  the lenders party
to  the  Credit  Agreement  described  below  (collectively,   the  "Banks"  and
individually,  a "Bank"),  BANK ONE, TEXAS,  N.A., as co-agent for the Banks (in
such capacity,  the "Co-Agent") and THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, as agent
for the Banks (in such capacity, the "Agent").

                                    RECITALS

 A. The Borrowers, the Co-Agent, the Agent and the Banks are parties to a Credit
Agreement dated as of August 13, 1996 ( the "Credit Agreement").

  B. The Banks desire to amend the Credit Agreement and the Agent, the Co-Agent
and the Banks are willing to do so strictly in accordance with the terms hereof.

                                      TERMS

          In consideration of the premises and of the mutual agreements
herein contained, the parties agree as follows:

     ARTICLE I.  AMENDMENTS.  Upon  fulfillment  of the  conditions set forth in
Article III hereof, the Credit Agreement shall be amended as follows:

          1.1 The  definitions of "CNG/CRI  Guaranty  Formula" and "Eligible CNG
     Accounts Receivable" are hereby deleted.

          1.2 The text of each of the following sections is hereby replaced with
     "[intentionally   omitted]":   Sections  2.1(d),  4.1(d),   7.1(d)(xi)  and
     7.2(i)(iv).

          1.3 The last three sentences of Section 6.4 are restated as follows:

          Each of COG and COE is and will remain a wholly  owned  subsidiary  of
     CRI, COGL is and will remain a wholly owned  subsidiary of COG, Black Stone
     is and will remain a wholly owned  subsidiary of COG.  Comstock  Management
     Corporation, a Nevada corporation, has no material assets and the Borrowers
     agree that it will not have any material assets at any time."

          1.4.  Section  7.2(f) is amended by adding  the  following  to the end
     thereof:  "and other than a merger of CNG and COG  pursuant to which COG is
     the surviving corporation."

                                      E-4

<PAGE>

          1.5 Section 7.2(g) is amended by adding the following  after the words
     "proceeds thereof" contained in the penultimate line thereof:  "(other than
     proceeds from the sale of certain assets which were owned by CNG and/or CPI
     prior to the merger of CNG and COG,  which  sale  shall  occur on or before
     December 31, 1996)".

          1.6  Section  8.1(i)  is  amended  by  deleting  reference  to  "CNG,"
     contained therein.

          1.7 The Borrowers  acknowledge  and agree that they may not obtain any
     Letters  of  Credit  under the  Credit  Agreement  any time  after the date
     hereof.

          1.8 Each of the Banks hereby authorizes the Agent to release all liens
     and  security  interests  on the assets  which were owned by CNG and/or CPI
     prior to the merger between CNG and COG in connection with the sale of such
     assets occurring on or before December 31, 1996.

ARTICLE II.  REPRESENTATIONS.  Each of the Borrowers  represents and warrants to
the Agent, the Co-Agent and the Banks that:

          2.1 The  execution,  delivery  and  performance  of this  Amendment is
within its powers, has been duly authorized and is not in contravention with any
law, of the terms of its Articles of Incorporation or By-laws,  or any agreement
or undertaking to which it is a party or by which it is bound.

          2.1 This Amendment is the legal,  valid and binding  obligation of it,
enforceable against it in accordance with the terms hereof.

          2.2  After  giving  effect to the  amendments  herein  contained,  the
representations  and warranties  contained in Section 6 of the Credit  Agreement
are true on and as of the date  hereof with the same force and effect as if made
on and as of the date hereof.

          2.3 No Event of  Default  or  Default  exists or has  occurred  and is
continuing on the date hereof.

ARTICLE III.  CONDITIONS OF EFFECTIVENESS.

          3.1 This Amendment  shall not become  effective  until it is signed by
the Borrowers and the Banks.

          3.2 This  Amendment  shall only be effective  simultaneously  with the
sale  referenced  in Section  1.8,  provided  that such sale occurs on or before
December 31, 1996, and the cancellation of any outstanding Letters of Credit.

ARTICLE IV.  MISCELLANEOUS.

          4.1  References in the Credit  Agreement or in any note,  certificate,
instrument  or other  document  to the  Credit  Agreement  shall be deemed to be
references to the Credit Agreement as amended hereby and as further amended from
time to time.

          4.2 The Borrower  agrees to pay and to save the Agent harmless for the
payment of all costs and expenses  arising in  connection  with this  Amendment,
including  the  reasonable  fees of  counsel  to the  Agent in  connection  with
preparing this Amendment and the related documents.

          4.3 Except as expressly  amended hereby,  the Borrowers agree that the
Loan  Documents  are ratified and  confirmed  and shall remain in full force and
effect and that they have no set off,  counterclaim,  defense or any other claim

                                      E-5
<PAGE>

or dispute  with  respect to any of the  foregoing.  Terms used but not  defined
herein  shall  have the  respective  meanings  ascribed  thereto  in the  Credit
Agreement.

          4.4 This Amendment may be signed upon any number of counterparts  with
the same  effect as if the  signatures  thereto  and  hereto  were upon the same
instrument.

          IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  signing this  Amendment have caused
this Amendment to be executed and delivered as of November 26, 1996.

                          COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.

                          By:      /s/M. JAY ALLISON
                               ______________________
                                   M. Jay Allison, its president and chief
                                   executive officer

                          COMSTOCK OIL & GAS, INC.

                          By:      /s/M. JAY ALLISON
                               ______________________
                                   Jay Allison, its president and chief
                                            executive officer

                          COMSTOCK OIL & GAS - LOUISIANA, INC.

                          By:      /s/M. JAY ALLISON
                                 ____________________
                                   M. Jay Allison, its president and chief
                                   executive officer

                          COMSTOCK OFFSHORE ENERGY, INC.

                          By:      /s/M. JAY ALLISON
                                 ____________________
                                   M. Jay Allison, its president and chief
                                   executive officer

                          COMSTOCK NATURAL GAS, INC.

                          By:      /s/M. JAY ALLISON
                                 ____________________
                                   M. Jay Allison, its chairman and chief
                                   executive officer

                          BLACK STONE OIL COMPANY

                          By:      /s/M. JAY ALLISON
                                 ________________________________
                                   M. Jay Allison, its president and chief
                                   executive officer

                                      E-6
<PAGE>

                          THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
                          as a Bank and as Agent

                          By:      /s/GEORGE R. SCHANZ
                                 ______________________________
                              Its: Vice President

                          BANK ONE, TEXAS, NA,
                          as a Bank and as Co-Agent

                          By:      /s/MIKE MITCHELL
                                 ________________________________
                          Its:     Vice President

                          BANK OF MONTREAL, as a Bank and a Lead
                                   Manager

                          By:      /s/ROBERT ROBERTS
                                 ________________________________
                              Its: Director, U.S. Corporate Banking

                          ABN-AMRO BANK N.V.
                          By: ABN AMRO NORTH AMERICA INC.,
                                   as agent

                          By:      /s/CHARLES W. RANDALL
                                 ________________________________
                              Its: Senior Vice President and Managing Director

                          And:     /s/W, BRYAN CHAPMAN
                                 ________________________________
                              Its: Vice President and Director

                          THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON

                          By:      /s/RICHARD A. LOW
                                 ________________________________
                              Its: Division Executive

                          BANQUE PARIBAS

                          By:      /s/BARTON D. SCHOUEST
                                 ________________________________
                              Its: Vice President

                          And:     /s/MARK M. GREEN
                                 ________________________________
                              Its: Vice President

                          CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH

                          By:      /s/PASCAL POUPELLE
                                 ________________________________
                              Its: Senior Vice President


                                       E-7
<PAGE>

                          CHRISTIANIA BANK OG KREDITKASSE

                          By:      /s/WILLIAM S. PHILLIPS
                                 ________________________________

                              Its: Vice President

                          And:     /s/PETER M. DODGE
                                 ________________________________

                              Its: First Vice President

                          TORONTO DOMINION (TEXAS), INC.

                          By:      /s/FREDERIC HAWLEY
                                 ________________________________

                              Its: Vice President

                          MEESPIERSON N.V.

                          By:      /s/KAREL LOUMAN
                                 ________________________________
                                   Karel Louman
                              Its: Vice President

                          NATIONAL BANK OF CANADA, NEW YORK
                                            BRANCH

                          By:      /s/BILL HANDLEY
                                  ________________________________

                              Its: Vice President

                          By:      /s/DOUG CLARK
                                  ________________________________

                              Its: Vice President



                                       E-8



                      SECOND AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

          THIS SECOND  AMENDMENT  TO CREDIT  AGREEMENT,  dated as of February 4,
1997 (this "Amendment"),  is among COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. a Nevada corporation
("CRI"),  COMSTOCK OIL & GAS, INC., a Nevada corporation ("COG"), COMSTOCK OIL &
GAS - LOUISIANA, INC., a Nevada corporation ("COGL"),  COMSTOCK OFFSHORE ENERGY,
INC.,  a Delaware  corporation  ("COE")  and BLACK  STONE OIL  COMPANY,  a Texas
corporation ("Black Stone") (CRI, COG, COGL, COE and Black Stone may hereinafter
collectively be referred to as the "Borrowers"), the lenders party to the Credit
Agreement  described  below  (collectively,  the  "Banks"  and  individually,  a
"Bank"), BANK ONE, TEXAS, N.A., as co-agent for the Banks (in such capacity, the
"Co-Agent")  and THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,  as agent for the Banks (in
such capacity, the "Agent").

                                     RECITAL

          The Borrowers,  the Co-Agent, the Agent and the Banks are parties to a
Credit Agreement dated as of August 13, 1996, as amended by a First Amendment to
Credit  Agreement dated as of November 26, 1996 ( the "Credit  Agreement").  The
Borrowers  desire to amend the Credit  Agreement and the Agent, the Co-Agent and
the Banks are willing to do so strictly in accordance with the terms hereof.

                                      TERMS

          In consideration of the premises and of the mutual  agreements  herein
contained, the parties agree as follows:

     ARTICLE I.  AMENDMENTS.  Upon  fulfillment  of the  conditions set forth in
Article III hereof, the Credit Agreement shall be amended as follows:

          1.1 The table  contained in the  definition  of  Applicable  Margin in
Section 1.1 is restated as follows:

                                                                  Commitment
 Utilization Percentage           Eurodollar     Floating         Fee under
       "UP"                       Rate Loan     Rate Loan        Section 4.3(a)
 ----------------------           ---------     ---------        ---------------

UP greater than or equal to 90%      1.50%         0.25%            .375%

UP greater than or equal to 75%
        and less than 90%            1.25%         0.00%            .25%

UP greater than 55% and
        less than 75%                1.00%         0.00%            .25%

UP less than 55%                     0.75%         0.00%            .25%


                                       E-9


<PAGE>



          1.2 The definition of "Advances" is restated as follows:

          "Advances" shall mean the Loans.

          1.3 The definitions of "L/C Bank" and "L/C Commitment" are deleted and
the  definitions  of "Letter  of Credit"  and  "Letter  of Credit  Advance"  are
restated as follows:

          "Letter  of  Credit"  shall  mean any  standby  letter  of  credit  or
     commercial  letter of credit issued by any Bank at any time for the account
     of any  Borrower,  it being  acknowledged  that  Letters  of Credit are not
     issued  pursuant  to this  Agreement  or any  commitment,  but they must be
     issued by a Bank within the  limitations  contained in Section  7.2(d)(iii)
     and the  requirements of Section 8.4 in order to be secured by the Security
     Documents.

          "Letter  of Credit  Advance"  shall mean any  issuance  of a Letter of
     Credit.

          1.4 Section 3.1 is amended by replacing  clause  3.1(a)(iii)  with the
following:  "[intentionally  omitted]"  and  deleting  the  last  two  sentences
thereof.

          1.5 The following is deleted from Section  3.2(b):  "and the aggregate
outstanding  principal  amount of all Letter of Credit  Advances,  after  giving
effect to the proposed Letter of Credit  Advance,  does not exceed the lesser of
$1,000,000 or CNG/CRI Guaranteed Formula".

          1.6  The  text of  Sections  3.3  and  4.3(b)  is  replaced  with  the
following:  "[intentionally  omitted]" and the following is hereby  deleted from
Section 4.3(a):  "and the Borrowers agree to pay to the Agent,  for the pro rata
account of the L/C Banks , a commitment fee computed at the per annum rate equal
to the Applicable  Margin on the amount by which the L/C Commitments  exceed the
aggregate  outstanding  amount of the Letter of Credit Advances,  for the period
from the Effective Date until the Termination Date.".

          1.7 Reference in Section  7.1(d)(iii) to "Sections  7.2(a),  (b), (c),
(i), (j) and (l)" is deleted and  "Sections  7.2(a),  (b),  (c), (i) and (j)" is
substituted in place thereof.

          1.8 Sections 7.1(d)(vii) and (viii) are restated as follows:

               (vii) As soon as available  and in any event within 90 days after
          each January 1,  commencing  with January 1, 1997,  an annual  reserve
          report  as of each  such  January 1 with  respect  to all  Hydrocarbon
          reserves of the Borrowers prepared by an independent  engineering firm
          of recognized  standing acceptable to the Required Banks in accordance
          with accepted industry practices and otherwise  acceptable and in form
          and  substance  satisfactory  to the  Required  Banks,  and  including
          without  limitation  all assets  included in the Borrowing  Base,  and
          within 90 days after each July 1  thereafter,  a reserve  report as of
          each such July 1, as the case may be, with respect to all  Hydrocarbon
          reserves of the Borrowers prepared by the Borrowers in accordance with
          accepted industry practices

          and otherwise acceptable and in form and substance satisfactory to the
          Required Banks, and including  without  limitation all assets included
          in the Borrowing  Base;

               (viii) On or within 30 days after the request of the Agent or the
          Required Banks in connection with a  redetermination  of the Borrowing


                                      E-10


<PAGE>


          Base  permitted  under Section 9.14,  an updated  reserve  report with
          respect to all  Hydrocarbon  reserves of the Borrowers  prepared by an
          independent  engineering firm of recognized standing acceptable to the
          Required  Banks in  accordance  with accepted  industry  practices and
          otherwise  acceptable  and in form and substance  satisfactory  to the
          Required Banks, and including  without  limitation all assets included
          in the Borrowing Base;

          1.9 Reference in Section  7.2(d)(iii) to  "$1,000,000"  is deleted and
"$5,000,000" is substituted in place thereof.

          1.10 Section 7.2(e)(iii) is restated as follows:

               (iii) Liens created pursuant to the Security  Documents and Liens
          expressly  permitted  by the  Security  Documents,  including  without
          limitation  liens  securing any  reimbursement  and other  obligations
          pursuant to any  Letters of Credit  issued by any Bank for the account
          of any  Borrower,  and it is  acknowledged  and agreed  that,  without
          limiting  the  indebtedness  secured by the Security  Documents,  each
          Security  Document  secures all  reimbursement  and other  obligations
          incurred at any time by any Borrower  pursuant to any Letter of Credit
          issued by any Bank for the account of any Borrower;

          1.11 Section 7.2(f) is restated as follows:

               (f) Merger;  Acquisitions;  Etc.  Purchase or otherwise  acquire,
          whether in one or a series of transactions,  unless the Required Banks
          shall otherwise consent in writing,  all or any substantial portion of
          the business assets, rights,  revenues or property,  real, personal or
          mixed,  tangible  or  intangible,   of  any  Person,  or  all  or  any
          substantial  portion  of  the  capital  stock  of or  other  ownership
          interest in any other Person,  nor merge or  consolidate or amalgamate
          with any  other  Person  or take any  other  action  having a  similar
          effect,  unless, in each of the foregoing cases, each of the following
          conditions  is  satisfied:  (i) no Default or Event of Default  exists
          either  before  or  after  such  acquisition,  merger,  consolidation,
          amalgamation  or other action  having a similar  effect,  (ii) if such
          transaction is a merger,  consolidation,  amalgamation or other action
          having a similar effect,  a Borrower is the surviving entity and (iii)
          in  the  case  of  any  take-over  bid  or  offer  to  acquire  all or
          substantially all of the outstanding  voting or equity securities of a
          corporation  or an  acquisition  of  all or  substantially  all of the
          assets of any Person, the board of directors of the target corporation
          or  management  of  the  target  Person  (if  the  target   is  not  a
          corporation) has recommended acceptance of such bid or offer.

          1.12  Reference  in Section  7.2(g) to  "$5,000,000"  is  deleted  and
"$15,000,000"  is  substituted  in  place  thereof  and  reference   therein  to
"$1,000,000" is deleted and "$5,000,000" is substituted in place thereof.

          1.13  Reference in Section 7.2(i) to "$5,000" is deleted and "$25,000"
is substituted in place thereof.

          1.14  Clause  (ii) of Section  7.2(i) is  restated to read as follows:
"(ii) loans and advances  among the Borrowers or any  Subsidiary of any Borrower
guaranteeing all  indebtedness,  obligations and liabilities of the Borrowers to
the Banks and the Agent pursuant to a guaranty and other agreements satisfactory


                                      E-11

<PAGE>

to the Agent," and reference in clause (iii) of Section  7.2(i) to  "$1,000,000"
is deleted and "$5,000,000" is substituted in place thereof.

          1.15 Section 7.2(j) is restated as follows:

               (j) Dividends.  With respect to CRI only,  make, pay,  declare or
          authorize any dividend,  payment or other  distribution  in respect of
          any  class  of  its  capital  stock  or  any   dividend,   payment  or
          distribution   in   connection   with  the   redemption,   repurchase,
          defeasance,  conversion,  retirement or other acquisition, directly or
          indirectly,  of any shares of its capital stock, (all of the foregoing
          defined  herein  as  "Restricted  Payments"),  except  (i)  Restricted
          Payments  payable  solely in shares of  capital  stock of CRI and (ii)
          cash  dividends  in  respect  to the 1995  Preferred  Stock only in an
          aggregate amount not to exceed $627,000 in any twelve month period and
          only if both  before the  payment of such  dividend  and after  giving
          effect to the payment of such  dividend no Default or Event of Default
          shall have occurred and be continuing. For purposes of this Agreement,
          "capital  stock" shall  include  capital stock  (preferred,  common or
          other) and any securities exchangeable for or convertible into capital
          stock  and any  warrants,  rights  or other  options  to  purchase  or
          otherwise acquire capital stock or such securities.

          1.16  The text of  Section  7.2(l)  is  replaced  with the  following:
"[intentionally omitted]"

          1.17 Section 8.3(c) is restated as follows:

               (c) Third,  to the Banks on a pro rata basis in  accordance  with
          the Bank Obligations consisting of interest and principal owing to the
          Banks under the Bank  Obligation,  with any  obligations  owing to any
          Bank  pursuant to any Swap  Agreement to which it is a party  (whether
          pursuant  to  a  termination   thereof  or  otherwise)  and  with  any
          reimbursement  obligations  or  other  liabilities  owing  to any Bank
          pursuant to any Letter of Credit,  for  application to payment of such
          liabilities;

          1.18 Section 8.4 is amended by (a) deleting  reference therein to "the
L/C Banks" and  substituting  "any of the  Banks" in place  thereof  and (b) and
adding the following to the end thereof:  "The Borrowers  acknowledge  and agree
that all  reimbursement  and other  obligations and liabilities  pursuant to any
Letters of Credit issued by any Bank for the account of any Borrower are secured
by all  Collateral  and the  Security  Documents,  provided  that such Letter of
Credit was allowed by Section  7.2(d)(iii) and the Agent received notice of such
Letter of Credit prior to its issuance."

          1.19 All parties hereto  acknowledge and agree that the Borrowing Base
as of the date hereof is redetermined to be $166,000,000.

ARTICLE II. REPRESENTATIONS. Each of  the Borrowers  represents and warrants to
the Agent, the Co- Agent and the Banks that:


                                      E-12

<PAGE>


          2.1 The  execution,  delivery  and  performance  of this  Amendment is
within its powers, has been duly authorized and is not in contravention with any
law, of the terms of its Articles of Incorporation or By-laws,  or any agreement
or undertaking to which it is a party or by which it is bound.

          2.2 This Amendment is the legal,  valid and binding  obligation of it,
enforceable against it in accordance with the terms hereof.

          2.3  After  giving  effect to the  amendments  herein  contained,  the
representations  and warranties  contained in Section 6 of the Credit  Agreement
are true on and as of the date  hereof with the same force and effect as if made
on and as of the date hereof.

          2.4 No Event of  Default  or  Default  exists or has  occurred  and is
continuing on the date hereof.

ARTICLE III.  CONDITIONS OF EFFECTIVENESS.

          3.1 This Amendment  shall not become  effective  until it is signed by
the Borrowers and the Banks and each Borrower  shall have delivered to the Agent
a certified resolution approving this Amendment.

ARTICLE IV.  MISCELLANEOUS.

          4.1  References in the Credit  Agreement or in any note,  certificate,
instrument  or other  document  to the  Credit  Agreement  shall be deemed to be
references to the Credit Agreement as amended hereby and as further amended from
time to time.

          4.2 The Borrower  agrees to pay and to save the Agent harmless for the
payment of all costs and expenses  arising in  connection  with this  Amendment,
including  the  reasonable  fees of  counsel  to the  Agent in  connection  with
preparing this Amendment and the related documents.

          4.3 Except as expressly  amended hereby,  the Borrowers agree that the
Loan  Documents  are ratified and  confirmed  and shall remain in full force and
effect and that they have no set off,  counterclaim,  defense or any other claim
or dispute  with  respect to any of the  foregoing.  Terms used but not  defined
herein  shall  have the  respective  meanings  ascribed  thereto  in the  Credit
Agreement.

          4.4 This Amendment may be signed upon any number of counterparts  with
the same  effect as if the  signatures  thereto  and  hereto  were upon the same
instrument.

          IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  signing this  Amendment have caused
this Amendment to be executed and delivered as of February 4, 1997.


                          COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.


                          By:      /s/M. JAY ALLISON
                               ________________________________
                                   M. Jay Allison, its president and chief
                                   executive officer

                                      E-13

<PAGE>


                          COMSTOCK OIL & GAS, INC.

                          By:      /s/M. JAY ALLISON
                               ________________________________
                                   Jay Allison, its president and chief
                                            executive officer

                          COMSTOCK OIL & GAS - LOUISIANA, INC.

                          By:      /s/M. JAY ALLISON
                                 ________________________________
                                   M. Jay Allison, its president and chief
                                   executive officer

                          COMSTOCK OFFSHORE ENERGY, INC.

                          By:      /s/M. JAY ALLISON
                                 ________________________________
                                   M. Jay Allison, its president and chief
                                   executive officer

                          BLACK STONE OIL COMPANY

                          By:      /s/M. JAY ALLISON
                                 ________________________________
                                   M. Jay Allison, its president and chief
                                   executive officer

                          THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
                          as a Bank and as Agent

                          By:      /s/GEORGE R. SCHANZ
                                 ______________________________
                              Its: Vice President

                          BANK ONE, TEXAS, NA,
                          as a Bank and as Co-Agent

                          By:      /s/MIKE MITCHELL
                                 ________________________________
                          Its:     Vice President

                          BANK OF MONTREAL, as a Bank and a Lead Manager

                          By:      /s/ROBERT ROBERTS
                                 ________________________________
                              Its: Director, U.S. Corporate Banking

                                      E-14

<PAGE>

                          ABN-AMRO BANK N.V.
                          By: ABN AMRO NORTH AMERICA INC.,
                                   as agent

                          By:      /s/CHARLES W. RANDALL
                                 ________________________________
                              Its: Senior Vice President and Managing Director

                          And:     /s/W, BRYAN CHAPMAN
                                 ________________________________
                              Its: Vice President and Director

                          THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON

                          By:      /s/RICHARD A. LOW
                                 ________________________________
                              Its: Division Executive

                          BANQUE PARIBAS

                          By:      /s/BARTON D. SCHOUEST
                                 ________________________________
                              Its: Vice President

                          And:     /s/MARK M. GREEN
                                 ________________________________
                              Its: Vice President

                          CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH

                          By:      /s/PASCAL POUPELLE
                                 ________________________________
                              Its: Senior Vice President

                          CHRISTIANIA BANK OG KREDITKASSE

                          By:      /s/WILLIAM S. PHILLIPS
                                 ________________________________

                              Its: Vice President

                          And:     /s/PETER M. DODGE
                                 ________________________________

                              Its: First Vice President

                          TORONTO DOMINION (TEXAS), INC.

                          By:      /s/FREDERIC HAWLEY
                                 ________________________________

                              Its: Vice President


                                      E-15
<PAGE>


                          MEESPIERSON N.V.

                          By:      /s/KAREL LOUMAN
                                 ________________________________
                                   Karel Louman
                              Its: Vice President

                          NATIONAL BANK OF CANADA, NEW YORK
                                            BRANCH

                          By:      /s/BILL HANDLEY
                                  ________________________________

                              Its: Vice President

                          By:      /s/DOUG CLARK
                                  ________________________________

                              Its: Vice President


                                      E-16




                                                              EXHIBIT 21


               SUBSIDIARIES OF COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                               State of     
                 Name                        Incorporation             Business Name
                 ----                        -------------             -------------

<S>                                         <C>                   <C>    
Comstock Oil & Gas, Inc.                    Nevada               Comstock Oil & Gas, Inc.
Comstock Oil & Gas - Louisiana, Inc. (1)    Nevada               Comstock Oil & Gas - Louisiana, Inc.
Comstock Management Corporation             Nevada               Comstock Management Corporation
Comstock Offshore Energy, Inc.              Delaware             Comstock Offshore Energy, Inc.

(1) Subsidiary of Comstock Oil & Gas, Inc.

</TABLE>

                                      E-17


                                                              EXHIBIT 23



                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our
report included in this Form 10-K, into Comstock  Resources,  Inc.'s  previously
filed registration statements (numbers 33-73452,  33-88962,  33-61303, 
333-02457, 333-5259, 333-7217, 333-13675 and 333-20981).



                           ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

                                      E-18

<TABLE> <S> <C>
                  
<ARTICLE>               5       
<LEGEND>                        
     This  schedule   contains   summary   financial  data  extracted  from  the
Consolidated  Financial Statements of Comstock Resources,  Inc. and Subsidiaries
for the year  ended  December  31,  1996 and is  qualified  in its  entirety  by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>                               
<MULTIPLIER>                    1,000   
                                        
<S>                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                          YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                  DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                       DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                  16,162
<SECURITIES>                                 0
<RECEIVABLES>                           19,497
<ALLOWANCES>                                 0
<INVENTORY>                                  0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                        35,833
<PP&E>                                 240,072
<DEPRECIATION>                         (54,144)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                         222,002
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                   22,881
<BONDS>                                 80,000
                    7,063
                                  0
<COMMON>                                12,051
<OTHER-SE>                              99,102
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>           222,002
<SALES>                                 68,915
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                        70,955
<CGS>                                        0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                           32,543
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                         2,239
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                      10,086
<INCOME-PRETAX>                         24,066
<INCOME-TAX>                                 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                     24,066
<DISCONTINUED>                           1,866
<EXTRAORDINARY>                              0
<CHANGES>                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                            25,932
<EPS-PRIMARY>                             1.58
<EPS-DILUTED>                             1.31
        

</TABLE>


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