EXHIBIT 23.3


        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM AND GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERS

     The undersigned hereby consents to the use in the Prospectus 
constituting part of this Registration Statement on Form S-3, of our reserve 
report dated January 13, 1997 relating to the oil and gas reserves of St. 
Mary Land & Exploration Company at December 31, 1996. We also consent to the 
references to us under the headings "Summary Reserve Data," "Risk 
Factors--Uncertainty of Estimates of Reserves and Future Net Revenues," 
"Experts" and "Business and Properties" and elsewhere in such Prospectus.

                                 Ryder Scott Company Petroleum Engineers


                                 By: /s/ Ryder Scott Company Petroleum Engineers
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                     Name:
                                     Title:

February 4, 1997