COMSTOCK RESOURCES INC
10-Q, 1997-05-06
CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 10-Q


(Mark One)
   [x]         QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                      For The Quarter Ended March 31, 1997

                                       OR

              TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF
              THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (NO FEE REQUIRED)

                           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)

                          Telephone No.: (972) 701-2000


   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
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
   Yes    [root]        No


   The number of shares  outstanding  of  Registrant's  common stock,  par value
$.50, as of May 6, 1997 was 24,175,203.






<PAGE>



                            COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.

                                QUARTERLY REPORT
                      FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1997

                                      INDEX






PART I.  Financial Information                                         Page No.

    Item 1.  Financial Statements

         Consolidated Balance Sheets -
           March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996...............................4
         Consolidated Statements of Operations -
           Three Months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996.........................5
         Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity -
           Three Months ended March 31, 1997..................................6
         Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
           Three Months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996.........................7
         Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements...........................8

    Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                Condition and Results of Operations..........................11

PART II.  Other Information


    Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K............................... 14




                                        2

<PAGE>



                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION


                          ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


                                        3

<PAGE>



                    COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                     ASSETS

                                                         March 31,  December 31,
                                                            1997         1996
                                                         ---------     --------
                                                              (In thousands)

Cash and Cash Equivalents................................$  13,004    $  16,162
Accounts Receivable:
  Oil and gas sales .....................................   13,109       17,309
  Joint interest operations .............................    3,671        2,188
Other Current Assets ....................................    1,039          174
                                                         ---------     --------
          Total current assets ..........................   30,823       35,833
Property and Equipment:
  Oil and gas properties, successful efforts method .....  240,007      239,671
  Other .................................................      413          401
  Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization ..  (56,696)     (54,144)
                                                         ---------     --------
          Net property and equipment ....................  183,724      185,928
Other Assets ............................................    1,241          241
                                                         ---------     --------
                                                         $ 215,788    $ 222,002
                                                         =========    =========

                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current Portion of Long-term Debt........................$      66    $     108
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses ...................   24,104       22,773
                                                         ---------     --------
          Total current liabilities .....................   24,170       22,881

Long-term Debt, less current portion ....................   60,000       80,000
Deferred Taxes Payable ..................................    4,266         --
Other Noncurrent Liabilities ............................      905          905
Stockholders' Equity:
  Preferred stock--$10.00 par, 5,000,000 shares
    authorized, 706,323 shares outstanding ..............    7,063        7,063
  Common stock--$0.50 par, 30,000,000 shares authorized,
    24,175,203 and 24,101,430 shares outstanding at
    March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, respectively ..   12,088       12,051
  Additional paid-in capital ............................  119,066      118,647
  Retained deficit ......................................  (11,748)     (19,512)
  Less: Deferred compensation--restricted stock grants ..      (22)         (33)
                                                         ---------     --------
          Total stockholders' equity ....................  126,447      118,216
                                                         ---------     --------
                                                         $ 215,788    $ 222,002
                                                         =========    =========



        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

                                        4

<PAGE>



                    COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                      For the Three Months Ended March 31,
                                   (Unaudited)

                                                           1997        1996
                                                         --------    --------
                                                          (In thousands, except
                                                             per share amounts)
Revenues:
  Oil and gas sales......................................$ 23,411    $  9,555
  Other income ..........................................     268          73
  Gain on sale of properties ............................      48        --
                                                         --------    --------
          Total revenues ................................  23,727       9,628
                                                         --------    --------
Expenses:
  Oil and gas operating .................................   4,649       2,523
  Depreciation, depletion and amortization ..............   4,990       2,527
  General and administrative, net .......................     689         175
  Interest ..............................................   1,210       1,848
                                                         --------    --------
          Total expenses ................................  11,538       7,073
                                                         --------    --------

Income from continuing operations before income taxes ...  12,189       2,555
Provision for income taxes ..............................  (4,266)       --
                                                         --------    --------
Net income from continuing operations ...................   7,923       2,555
Preferred stock dividends ...............................    (159)       (633)
                                                         --------    --------
Net income from continuing operations attributable
  to common stock .......................................   7,764       1,922
Income from discontinued gas gathering, processing
 and marketing operations ...............................    --           454
                                                         --------    --------
Net income attributable to common stock..................$  7,764    $  2,376
                                                         ========    ========
Net income per share:
  Primary -
          Net income from continuing operations..........$    .31    $    .14
                                                         ========    ========
          Net income.....................................$    .31    $    .18
                                                         ========    ========
  Fully diluted -
          Net income from continuing operations..........$    .30    $    .13
                                                         ========    ========
          Net income.....................................$    .30    $    .15
                                                         ========    ========
Weighted  average  number of common and common stock equivalent shares
  outstanding:
          Primary .......................................  25,122      13,552
                                                         ========    ========
          Fully diluted .................................  26,467      19,929
                                                         ========    ========


        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

                                        5

<PAGE>



                    COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               For the Three Months Ended March 31, 1997 and 1996
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<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, 1996..............$  7,063   $ 12,051   $118,647   $(19,512)   $    (33)   $118,216
   Issuance of common stock ...............   --           37        419       --          --           456
   Restricted stock grants ................   --         --         --         --            11          11
   Net income attributable to
     common stock .........................   --         --         --        7,764        --         7,764
                                          --------   --------   --------   --------    --------    --------
Balance at March 31, 1997.................$  7,063   $ 12,088   $119,066   $(11,748)   $    (22)   $126,447
                                          ========   ========   ========   ========    ========    ========

</TABLE>



























        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.


                                        6

<PAGE>



                    COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                      For the Three Months Ended March 31,
                                   (Unaudited)

                                                          1997       1996
                                                        --------   --------
                                                           (In thousands)

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 Net income.............................................$  7,923   $  3,009
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
   provided by operating activities:
      Compensation paid in common stock ................     154        153
      Depreciation, depletion and amortization .........   4,990      2,621
      Deferred income taxes ............................   4,266       --
      Deferred revenue .................................    --         (107)
      Gain on sales of property ........................     (48)      --
                                                        --------   --------
                                                        
      Working capital provided by operations ...........  17,285      5,676
      (Increase) decrease in accounts receivable .......   2,717     (4,487)
      Increase in other current assets .................    (865)      (443)
      Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses    1,331      2,447
                                                        --------   --------
   Net cash provided by operating activities ...........  20,468      3,193
                                                        --------   --------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 Proceeds from sales of properties .....................   4,994       --
 Capital expenditures ..................................  (7,681)    (2,407)
 Acquisition deposit ...................................  (1,051)      --
                                                        --------   --------
   Net cash used for investing activities ..............  (3,738)    (2,407)
                                                        --------   --------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 Proceeds from common stock issuances ..................     342       --
 Stock issuance costs ..................................     (29)      --
 Borrowings ............................................    --          150
 Principal payments on debt ............................ (20,042)    (2,195)
 Dividends paid on preferred stock .....................    (159)      --
                                                        --------   --------
   Net cash used by financing activities ............... (19,888)    (2,045)
                                                        --------   --------
   Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents ...........  (3,158)    (1,259)
   Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period ......  16,162      1,917
                                                        --------   --------
   Cash and cash equivalents, end of period.............$ 13,004   $    658
                                                        ========   ========





        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

                                        7

<PAGE>


                    COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                             March 31, 1997 and 1996
                                   (Unaudited)


(1)  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES -

        Basis of Presentation -

     In management's opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements
contain all  adjustments  (consisting  solely of normal  recurring  adjustments)
necessary to present fairly the financial position of Comstock  Resources,  Inc.
and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of March 31, 1997 and the related results of
operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996.

     The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared pursuant
to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Certain
information and disclosures  normally  included in annual  financial  statements
prepared in accordance with generally accepted  accounting  principles have been
omitted pursuant to those rules and  regulations,  although the Company believes
that the  disclosures  made are adequate to make the  information  presented not
misleading.  These financial  statements  should be read in conjunction with the
Company's  financial  statements  and notes  thereto  included in the  Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996.

     The results of  operations  for the three  months  ended March 31, 1997 and
1996,  are not  necessarily  an indication of the results  expected for the full
year.

     Supplementary Information with Respect to the Statements of Cash Flows -

                                                            For the Three Months
                                                               Ended March 31,
                                                              1997      1996
                                                            --------  --------
                                                               (In thousands)
     Cash Payments -
        Interest                                            $ 1,247   $ 1,848
        Income taxes                                        $   300   $   -

     Noncash Investing and Financing Activities-
        Common stock issued for director compensation       $   143   $   143
        Common stock issued for preferred stock dividends   $   -     $   633


                                        8

<PAGE>


                    COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (continued)



        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. For the
three  months ended March 31,  1997,  the Company made a provision  for deferred
income taxes based on an expected tax rate for 1997 of 35%.

        Earnings Per Share -

     Net  income  attributable  to  common  stock  represents  net  income  less
preferred  stock  dividend  requirements  of $159,000 and $633,000 for the three
months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996,  respectively.  Net income attributable to
common stock per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to common
stock  by the  weighted  average  number  of  common  shares  and  common  stock
equivalents  outstanding during each period.  Common stock equivalents  include,
when applicable,  dilutive stock options 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.

(2)  SALE OF OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES -

     In February 1997, the Company sold certain producing oil and gas properties
for approximately $5.0 million. The properties sold were non-strategic assets to
the  Company.  A gain from the sales of $48,000 is included in the  accompanying
statement of operations.

(3)  LONG-TERM DEBT -

     As of March 31, 1997, the Company had $60.0 million  outstanding  under its
bank revolving credit facility. Borrowings under the bank credit facility cannot
exceed a borrowing base determined semiannually by the banks. The borrowing base
at March 31, 1997 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 0% to 1/4% or, at the  Company's
option,  at a fixed  rate for up to six  months  based on the  London  Interbank
Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus 3/4% to 1 1/2% depending upon the utilization of the
available  borrowing  base.  As of March 31,  1997,  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  6.3% per annum. In addition,
the  Company  incurs  a  commitment  fee of 1/4% to  3/8%,  depending  upon  the
utilization  of the  available  borrowing  base,  on the  unused  portion of the
borrowing base.


                                        9

<PAGE>


                    COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (continued)



(4)  SUBSEQUENT EVENT -

     In March 1997, the Company  entered into purchase and sale  agreements with
54 parties to acquire working interests in the Lisbon Field in Claiborne Parish,
Louisiana.  Comstock will be acquiring interests in 13 producing wells (7.1 net)
producing  from multiple  Cotton Valley sands at depths from 8,560 to 8,999 feet
and approximately  6,400 gross acres in the Lisbon Field for $25.0 million.  The
acquisition  includes  all  production  subsequent  to January  31,  1997 and is
expected to close in May 1997.  The Company's  independent  petroleum  engineers
estimate that the properties  being acquired  contain proved reserves of 317,000
barrels of oil and 25.9  billion  cubic feet of natural  gas as of  February  1,
1997. The Company  intends to fund the  acquisition  with  borrowings  under its
$166.0 million bank revolving credit facility.

                                       10

<PAGE>

ITEM 2:          MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                 CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Operations

     Oil and gas sales  increased  $13.9 million  (145%) in the first quarter of
1997,  to $23.4  million from $9.6 million in 1996's first quarter due primarily
to a 78% increase in gas  production  and a 184%  increase in oil  production as
well as increased oil and gas prices. The production increases related primarily
to production from the Double A Wells field which was acquired in May 1996.

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

                                                     Three Months Ended
                                                          March 31,
                                                      1997        1996
                                                      ----        ----
       Net Production Data:
         Oil (MBbls)                                   299         105
         Natural gas (MMcf)                          5,520       3,109
       Average Sales Price:
         Oil (per Bbl)                              $22.30      $18.73
         Natural gas (per Mcf)                        3.03        2.44
       Expenses ($ per Mcfe):
         Oil and gas operating(1)                     0.64        0.67
         General and administrative, net              0.09        0.05
         Depreciation, depletion and
           amortization(2)                            0.68        0.67

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

     Other income increased  $195,000 (267%) to $268,000 in the first quarter of
1997 from $73,000 in first  quarter of 1996 due to  additional  interest  income
earned on an increased level of short-term cash deposits.

     Oil and gas operating expenses,  including production taxes, increased $2.1
million  (84%) to $4.6  million  in the  first  three  months  of 1997 from $2.5
million in the first three  months of 1996 due  primarily to the 96% increase in
oil and gas production (on an equivalent Mcf basis)  resulting from the May 1996
property  acquisition  discussed above. Oil and gas operating  expenses per Mcfe
produced  decreased  to 64(cent) in 1997 as compared to 67(cent) in 1996's first
quarter due to lower lifting costs  associated  with the properties  acquired in
1996.

     General and  administrative  expenses increased $514,000 (294%) to $689,000
in first  quarter  of 1997 from  $175,000  in  1996's  first  quarter  due to an
increase  in number of  employees  of the Company as well as  increased  general
corporate expenses.

                                       11

<PAGE>


                MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                       CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (continued)


     Depreciation,  depletion and amortization ("DD & A") increased $2.5 million
(97%) to $5.0  million  in the first  quarter  of 1997 from $2.5  million in the
first  quarter  of  1996  due  primarily  to the  96%  increase  in oil  and gas
production  (on an equivalent  Mcf basis).  DD & A per Mcfe  produced  increased
slightly to 68(cent) in 1997 from 67(cent) in 1996.

     Interest expense decreased  $638,000 (35%) to $1.2 million for three months
ended March 31, 1997 from $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 1996
due  primarily to a decrease in the average  interest  rate  incurred  under the
Company's bank credit  facility in 1997.  The average annual  interest rate paid
under the bank credit  facility  decreased  to 6.5% in 1997's  first  quarter as
compared to 10.2% in 1996's first quarter.

     During the first  quarter of 1997,  the Company  provided  $4.3 million for
deferred  income  taxes using an  estimated  tax rate of 35%. No  provision  for
income taxes was made in 1996 due to the availability of previously unrecognized
tax assets relating to net operating loss carryforwards.

     The Company  reported  net income of $7.8  million  after  preferred  stock
dividends of $159,000 for three months ended March 31, 1997,  as compared to net
income  from  continuing  operations  of  $1.9  million  after  preferred  stock
dividends of $633,000  for three  months  ended March 31,  1996.  Net income per
share for the first quarter was 31(cent)  (30(cent)  fully  diluted) on weighted
average  shares  outstanding  of 25.1 million (26.5  million  fully  diluted) as
compared to net income per share of 14(cent)  (13(cent)  fully  diluted) for the
first quarter of 1996 on weighted  average  shares  outstanding  of 13.6 million
(19.9 million fully diluted).


Capital Expenditures

     The following table summaries the Company's  capital  expenditure  activity
for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996:

                                                    Three Months
                                                   Ended March 31,
                                                 1997           1996
                                               -------        -------
                                                    (In thousands)

     Leasehold costs                           $   778        $    86
     Workovers and recompletions                   697          1,246
     Development drilling                        5,081            743
     Exploratory drilling                        1,113          -
     Acquisition of gas marketing,
          processing and gathering assets         -                73
     Other                                          12            259
                                               -------        -------
                               Total           $ 7,681        $ 2,407
                                               =======        =======




                                       12

<PAGE>


                MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                       CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (continued)


Capital Resources and Liquidity

     During the three months ended March 31, 1997, the primary  sources of funds
for the  Company  were cash  generated  from  operations  of $20.5  million  and
proceeds from sales of  properties  of $5.0  million.  Primary uses of funds for
three  months  ended  March 31, 1997 were  capital  expenditures  primarily  for
developmental and exploratory drilling of $7.7 million and principal payments on
the bank credit facility of $20.0 million.

     In March 1997, the Company  entered into purchase and sale  agreements with
54 parties to acquire working interests in the Lisbon Field in Claiborne Parish,
Louisiana.  Comstock will be acquiring interests in 13 producing wells (7.1 net)
producing  from multiple  Cotton Valley sands at depths from 8,560 to 8,999 feet
and approximately  6,400 gross acres in the Lisbon Field for $25.0 million.  The
acquisition  includes  all  production  subsequent  to January  31,  1997 and is
expected to close in May 1997. The Company intends to fund the acquisition  with
borrowings under its bank credit facility.

     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 three months ended March 31, 1997
and 1996,  the Company  spent $7.7 million and $2.1  million,  respectively,  on
development  and  exploration  activities.  The  Company  currently  anticipates
spending an additional  $25.3 million on development  and  exploration  projects
during the  remainder of 1997 and intends to close an  acquisition  of producing
oil and gas properties for approximately  $25.0 million in May 1997. The Company
does  not  have  a  specific  acquisition  budget,   beyond  the  pending  $25.0
acquisition,  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
March 31, 1997, 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

                                       13

<PAGE>


                MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                       CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (continued)


borrowing  base. The average  annual  interest rate as of March 31, 1997, of all
outstanding  indebtedness under the bank credit facility was approximately 6.3%.
The revolving credit line will convert to a term loan on 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.


ITEM 6:  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K


a.  Exhibits

        27.   Financial Data Schedule for the Three Months ended March 31, 1997.

b.  Reports on Form 8-K

        None.


                                       14

<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES



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


                          COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.



Date    May 6, 1997       /s/M. JAY ALLISON
        -----------       ------------------
                          M. Jay Allison, President and
                          Chief Executive Officer
                          (Principal Executive Officer)


Date    May 6, 1997       /s/ROLAND O. BURNS
        -----------       ------------------
                          Roland O. Burns, Senior Vice President,
                          Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, and
                          Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)



                                       15


<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 three
months  ended March 31, 1997 and is  qualified  in its  entirety by reference to
such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                        1,000
       
<S>                                                    <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                          3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                      DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                           MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                                      13,004
<SECURITIES>                                                     0
<RECEIVABLES>                                               16,780
<ALLOWANCES>                                                     0
<INVENTORY>                                                      0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                            30,823
<PP&E>                                                     240,420
<DEPRECIATION>                                            (56,696)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                             215,788
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                       24,170
<BONDS>                                                     60,000
                                        7,063
                                                      0
<COMMON>                                                    12,088
<OTHER-SE>                                                 107,296
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                               215,788
<SALES>                                                     23,411
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                            23,727
<CGS>                                                            0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                9,639
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                               689
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                           1,210
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                             12,030
<INCOME-TAX>                                                 4,266
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                          7,764
<DISCONTINUED>                                                   0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                  0
<CHANGES>                                                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                                 7,764
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                 0.31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                 0.30
        



</TABLE>


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