<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF AVIVA PETROLEUM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AS
OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND THE RELATED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 760
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 1,129
<ALLOWANCES> 98
<INVENTORY> 170
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 2,030
<PP&E> 26,464
<DEPRECIATION> 25,904
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 4,197
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,366
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 2,345
<OTHER-SE> (4,401)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 4,197
<SALES> 5,054
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 5,275
<CGS> 2,437
<TOTAL-COSTS> 2,437
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> (221)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 749
<INCOME-PRETAX> 4,966
<INCOME-TAX> 212
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,754
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 4,673
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 9,427
<EPS-BASIC> 0.20
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.20
</TABLE>