<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR PRIMA ENERGY CORPORATION FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS,
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 15,861,000
<SECURITIES> 2,129,000
<RECEIVABLES> 6,289,000
<ALLOWANCES> (45,000)
<INVENTORY> 1,247,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 26,479,000
<PP&E> 99,468,000
<DEPRECIATION> (44,612,000)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 81,592,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 5,559,000
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 134,000
<OTHER-SE> 66,413,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 81,592,000
<SALES> 18,962,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 22,758,000
<CGS> 6,233,000
<TOTAL-COSTS> 8,851,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> 12,565,000
<INCOME-TAX> 3,570,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 8,995,000
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 8,995,000
<EPS-BASIC> 1.06
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.02
</TABLE>