Comstock Resources
CRK
#2837
Rank
$5.65 B
Marketcap
$19.22
Share price
-8.82%
Change (1 day)
-5.55%
Change (1 year)

Comstock Resources - 10-Q quarterly report FY


Text size:
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q


(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
[X] THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For The Quarter Ended September 30, 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 [x] No


The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock, par value
$.50, as of November 10, 1997 was 24,204,785.
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.

QUARTERLY REPORT
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997

INDEX






PART I. Financial Information Page No.

Item 1. Financial Statements

Consolidated Balance Sheets -
September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996................................4
Consolidated Statements of Operations -
Three Months and Nine Months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996..........5
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity -
Nine Months ended September 30, 1997....................................6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
Nine Months ended September 30, 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.....................................15



2
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


3
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


ASSETS

September 30, December 31,
1997 1996
---- ----
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

Cash and Cash Equivalents.............................$ 6,342 $ 16,162
Accounts Receivable:
Oil and gas sales................................... 12,260 17,309
Joint interest operations........................... 3,641 2,188
Other Current Assets.................................. 390 174
----------- -----------
Total current assets..................... 22,633 35,833
Property and Equipment:
Oil and gas properties,
successful efforts method....................... 275,411 239,671
Other............................................... 548 401
Accumulated depreciation,
depletion and amortization...................... (68,015) (54,144)
----------- ------------
Net property and equipment............... 207,944 185,928
Other Assets.......................................... 115 241
----------- -----------
$ 230,692 $ 222,002
=========== ===========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY


Current Portion of Long-term Debt.....................$ 9 $ 108
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses................. 19,385 22,773
----------- -----------
Total current liabilities......................... 19,394 22,881

Long-term Debt, less Current Portion.................. 83,000 80,000
Deferred Taxes Payable................................ 8,796 -
Other Noncurrent Liabilities.......................... 905 905
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock--$10.00 par, 5,000,000
shares authorized,706,323 shares outstanding
at December 31, 1996............................... - 7,063
Common stock--$0.50 par, 50,000,000
shares authorized, 24,204,785 and
24,101,430 shares outstanding at September
30, 1997 and December 31, 1996, respectively....... 12,102 12,051
Additional paid-in capital.......................... 110,099 118,647
Retained deficit.................................... (3,585) (19,512)
Less: Deferred compensation-restricted
stock grants..................................... (19) (33)
----------- ------------
Total stockholders' equity........................ 118,597 118,216
----------- ------------
$ 230,692 $ 222,002
=========== ===========


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

4
<TABLE>


COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

<CAPTION>

Three Months Nine Months
Ended September 30, Ended September 30,
1997 1996 1997 1996
-------- -------- -------- --------
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Oil and gas sales...................................$ 18,159 $ 19,740 $ 59,610 $ 45,517
Other income ....................................... 129 224 597 437
Gain (loss) on sale of properties .................. (3) (21) 85 1,507
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total revenues ............................. 18,285 19,943 60,292 47,461
-------- -------- -------- --------

Expenses:
Oil and gas operating .............................. 4,115 3,832 12,849 9,673
Exploration ........................................ 280 - 280 285
Depreciation, depletion and amortization ........... 5,386 5,599 16,335 12,511
General and administrative, net .................... 530 414 1,811 856
Interest ........................................... 1,390 3,027 3,884 7,619
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total expenses ............................. 11,701 12,872 35,159 30,944
-------- -------- -------- --------

Income from continuing operations before
income taxes ...................................... 6,584 7,071 25,133 16,517
Provision for income taxes ........................... 2,304 - 8,796 -
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net income from continuing operations ................ 4,280 7,071 16,337 16,517
Preferred stock dividends ............................ (90) (481) (410) (1,747)
Net income from continuing operations
attributable to common stock ...................... 4,190 6,590 15,927 14,770
Net income from discontinued gas gathering,
processing and marketing operations ............... - 253 - 842
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net income attributable to common stock...............$ 4,190 $ 6,843 $ 15,927 $ 15,612
======== ======== ======== ========
Net income per share:
Primary -
Net income from continuing operations.......$ 0.17 $ 0.39 $ 0.63 $ 0.98
======== ======== ======== ========
Net income..................................$ 0.17 $ 0.41 $ 0.63 $ 1.04
======== ======== ======== ========
Fully diluted -
Net income from continuing operations.......$ 0.17 $ 0.33 $ 0.62 $ 0.78
======== ======== ======== ========
Net income..................................$ 0.17 $ 0.34 $ 0.62 $ 0.82
======== ======== ======== ========
Weighted average number of common and common
stock equivalent shares outstanding:
Primary .................................... 25,182 16,794 25,114 15,014
======== ======== ======== ========
Fully diluted .............................. 25,935 21,234 26,306 21,246
======== ======== ======== ========


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

</TABLE>

5
<TABLE>



COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997
(Unaudited)

<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
Conversion of preferred stock........ (7,063) 673 6,390 - - -
Issuance of common stock............. - 51 534 - - 585
Repurchase of common stock........... - (673) (15,472) - - (16,145)
Restricted stock grants.............. - - - - 14 14
Net income attributable to
common stock....................... - - - 15,927 - 15,927
--------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- ----------
Balance at September 30, 1997...........$ - $ 12,102 $ 110,099 $ (3,585) $ (19) $ 118,597
========= ========== ========== ========= ========= ==========









The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

</TABLE>


6
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

Nine Months
Ended September 30,
1997 1996
--------- ---------
(In thousands)

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income...............................................$ 16,337 $ 17,359
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash provided by operating activities:
Compensation paid in common stock........................ 127 185
Exploration.............................................. 280 285
Depreciation, depletion and amortization................. 16,335 12,809
Deferred income taxes.................................... 8,796 -
Deferred revenue......................................... - (322)
Gain on sales of property................................ (85) (1,506)
--------- ---------
Working capital provided by operations................. 41,790 28,810
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable............... 3,596 (7,015)
Increase in other current assets......................... (216) (58)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and
accrued expenses.................................... (3,388) 5,538
--------- ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities.............. 41,782 27,275
--------- ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sales of properties........................ 5,080 8,948
Capital expenditures and acquisitions.................... (43,500) (106,668)
--------- ---------
Net cash used for investing activities................. (38,420) (97,720)
--------- ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings............................................... 35,000 172,150
Proceeds from common stock issuances..................... 487 1,720
Stock issuance costs..................................... (15) (15)
Repurchase of common stock............................... (16,145) -
Principal payments on debt............................... (32,099) (93,780)
Dividends paid on preferred stock........................ (410) (428)
--------- ----------
Net cash provided by (used by) financing activities.... (13,182) 79,647
--------- ---------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents. (9,820) 9,202
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period....... 16,162 1,917
--------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period.............$ 6,342 $ 11,119
========= =========


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

7
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 1997
(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 September 30, 1997 and the related
results of operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30,
1997 and 1996 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 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 nine months ended September 30, 1997 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 Nine Months
Ended September 30,
1997 1996
---- ----
(In thousands)
Cash Payments -
Interest $ 3,978 $ 7,349
Income taxes 300 -

Noncash Investing and Financing Activities -
Common stock issued
for director compensation $ 113 $ 154
Common stock issued
for preferred stock dividends - 1,319

8
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
nine months ended September 30, 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 $90,000 and $481,000 for the three
months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and $410,000 and
$1,747,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Net income 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 per share includes the dilutive effect of the Company's
convertible preferred stock using the "if converted" method and dilutive stock
options using the treasury stock method.

(2) ACQUISITION OF OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES -

On May 7, 1997, the Company purchased certain producing oil and gas
properties located in the Lisbon field in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana for a net
purchase price of $20.1 million. The acquisition included interests in 13
producing wells (7.1 net) and approximately 6,400 gross acres.

(3) SALE OF OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES -

During the nine months ended September 30, 1997, the Company sold certain
producing oil and gas properties for approximately $5.1 million. The properties
sold were non-strategic assets to the Company. A gain from the sales of $85,000
is included in the accompanying statement of operations.

(4) LONG-TERM DEBT -

As of September 30, 1997, the Company had $83.0 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 September 30, 1997 was $170.0 million. Amounts outstanding
under the 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 September 30, 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 6.4%
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
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)


(5) CONVERSION OF PREFERRED STOCK TO COMMON STOCK -

On August 20, 1997, the holders of the Series 1995 Convertible Preferred
Stock converted all of the shares of the Series 1995 Convertible Preferred
Stock, $10 par value, into 1,345,373 shares of common stock of the Company. The
conversion of the Series 1995 Convertible Preferred Stock into common stock
reduced the dividends which would have been paid on the preferred stock by
$645,000 per annum.

(6) COMMON STOCK REPURCHASE -

On August 20, 1997, the Company repurchased the 1,345,373 shares of common
stock from the former preferred stockholders at $12.00 per share for an
aggregate purchase price of $16.1 million. The acquisition of the common shares
was funded by borrowings under the Company's bank credit facility.

(7) SUBSEQUENT EVENT -

On October 22, 1997, the Company entered into a letter of intent to acquire
interests in certain offshore Louisiana oil and gas properties for a cash
purchase price of $205.0 million from Bois d'Arc Resources and its partners. The
Company is acquiring interests in 31 wells and eight separate production
complexes located in the Gulf of Mexico offshore of Plaquemines and Terrebonne
Parishes, Louisiana. The acquisition includes interests in the Louisiana State
and Federal offshore areas of Main Pass Blocks 21 and 25, Ship Shoal Blocks 66,
67, 68 and 69 and South Pelto Block 1.

The Company's independent petroleum engineers estimate that the properties
contain proved oil and gas reserves as of November 1, 1997, the effective date
of the acquisition, of approximately 19.7 million barrels of oil equivalent.
Approximately $30 million of the purchase price is attributed to the undrilled
prospects. The acquisition is subject to the parties executing a mutually
agreeable purchase and sale agreement. The Company expects to close the
transaction on or about December 15, 1997.



10
ITEM 2:       MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Operations

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

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
1997 1996 1997 1996
---- ---- ---- ----
Net Production Data:
Oil (thousand barrels) 263 305 869 650
Natural gas (million cubic feet) 5,327 5,672 16,428 13,651
Average Sales Price:
Oil (per barrel) $18.86 $21.65 $20.10 $20.73
Natural gas
(per thousand cubic feet - Mcf) 2.48 2.31 2.57 2.35
Expenses ($ per equivalent Mcf):
Oil and gas operating(l) $0.60 $ 0.51 $0.59 $ 0.55
General and administrative, net 0.08 0.06 0.08 0.05
Depreciation, depletion and
amortization(2) 0.78 0.74 0.75 0.71

(1) Includes lease operating costs and production and ad valorem taxes.

(2) Represents depreciation, depletion and amortization of oil and gas
properties only.

Revenues -

The Company's oil and gas sales decreased $1.6 million (8%) in the third
quarter of 1997, to $18.2 million from $19.7 million in 1996's third quarter due
to a 6% decrease in the Company's natural gas production and a 14% decrease in
the Company's oil production as well as a 13% decrease in the Company's average
realized oil price. The production decreases were partially offset by a 7%
increase in the Company's average realized natural gas price. The production
decreases are attributable to the normal production decline of the Company's
properties. For the nine months ended September 30, 1997, oil and gas sales
increased $14.1 million (31%), to $59.6 million from $45.5 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 1996. The increase is attributable to a 20% increase
in natural gas production and a 34% increase in oil production combined with 9%
higher realized natural gas prices and 3% lower realized oil prices. The
production increase is primarily related to the Company's acquisitions completed
in May 1996 and May 1997.

Other income decreased $95,000 (42%) to $129,000 in the third quarter of
1997 from $224,000 in third quarter of 1996. The decrease is attributable to a
lower level of short-term cash deposits outstanding during the quarter as well
as a decrease in management fees received by the Company. Other income for the
nine months ended September 30, 1997 increased $160,000 (37%) to $597,000 from
$437,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1996. The increase is related
to interest income earned on an increased level of short-term cash deposits for
the nine month period.

Costs and Expenses -

Oil and gas operating expenses, including production taxes, increased
$283,000 (7%) to $4.1 million in the third quarter of 1997 from $3.8 million in
the third quarter of 1996. Oil and gas operating expenses per equivalent Mcf
produced increased 17% to 60(cent) in the third quarter of 1997 from 51(cent) in
the

11
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(continued)


third quarter of 1996. The increase is primarily attributable to increase in
production taxes paid during the quarter. Oil and gas operating costs for the
nine months ended September 30, 1997 increased $3.2 million (33%) to $12.8
million from $9.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 due
primarily to the 23% increase in oil and natural gas production (on an
equivalent Mcf basis). Oil and gas operating expenses per equivalent Mcf
produced increased 7% to 59(cent) for nine months ended September 30, 1997 from
55(cent) for the same period in 1996.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization ("DD&A") decreased $213,000 (4%)
to $5.4 million in the third quarter of 1997 from $5.6 million in the third
quarter of 1996 due to the 8% decrease in oil and natural gas production (on an
equivalent Mcf basis) and due to higher costs per unit of amortization. DD&A per
equivalent Mcf produced increased by 5% to 78(cent) for the three months ended
September 30, 1997 from 74(cent) for the three months ended September 30, 1996.
For the nine months ended September 30, 1997, DD&A increased $3.8 million (31%)
to $16.3 million from $12.5 million for the nine months ended September 30,
1996. The increase is due to the 23% increase in oil and natural gas production
(on an equivalent Mcf basis) and to higher costs per unit of amortization. DD&A
per equivalent Mcf increased by 6% to 75(cent) for the nine months ended
September 30, 1997 from 71(cent) for the nine months ended September 30, 1996.

General and administrative expenses, which is reported net of overhead
reimbursements, increased $116,000 (28%) to $530,000 in the third quarter of
1997 from $414,000 in 1996's third quarter. For the first nine months of 1997,
general and administrative expenses increased $1.0 million (112%) to $1.8
million from $856,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1996. The increase
is attributable to an increase in the number of employees of the Company as well
as increased general corporate expenses associated with the increased size of
the Company's operations.

Interest expense decreased $1.6 million (54%) to $1.4 million for the three
months ended September 30, 1997 from $3.0 million for the three months ended
September 30, 1996. Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30,
1997 decreased $3.7 million (49%) to $3.9 million in 1997 from $7.6 million for
the nine months ended September 30, 1996. The decreases are related to a
decrease in the average outstanding advances under the Company's bank credit
facility as well as significantly lower interest rates on the Company's
indebtedness. The weighted average annual interest rate under the Company's bank
credit facility decreased to 6.4% in 1997's third quarter as compared to 7.5% in
the third quarter of 1996. For the nine months ended September 30, 1997, the
Company's weighted average interest rate under the Company's bank credit
facility decreased to 6.5% as compared to 8.3% for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996.

The Company provided $2.3 million and $8.8 million for deferred income
taxes for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 1997,
respectively, 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 $4.2 million, after preferred stock
dividends of $90,000, for the three months ended September 30, 1997, as compared
to net income from continuing operations of $6.6 million, after preferred stock
dividends of $481,000, for the three months ended September 30, 1996. Net income
per share for the third quarter was 17 cents (17 cents fully diluted) on
weighted average shares outstanding of 25.2

12
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(continued)


million (25.9 million fully diluted) as compared to net income from continuing
operations per share of 39 cents (33 cents fully diluted) for the third quarter
of 1996 on weighted average shares outstanding of 16.8 million (21.2 million
fully diluted).

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 was $15.9 million,
after preferred stock dividends of $410,000, as compared to net income from
continuing operations of $14.8 million, after preferred stock dividends of $1.7
million, for the nine months ended September 30, 1996. Net income per share for
the nine months ended September 30, 1997 was 63 cents (62 cents on a fully
diluted basis) on weighted average shares outstanding of 25.1 million (26.3
million on a fully diluted basis) as compared to net income per share of 98
cents (78 cents on a fully diluted basis) for the nine months ended September
30, 1996 on weighted average shares outstanding of 15.0 million (21.2 million on
a fully diluted basis).

Capital Expenditures

The following table summarizes the Company's capital expenditure activity
for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996:

Nine Months Ended
September 30,
1997 1996
-------- ---------
(In thousands)

Acquisition of oil and gas reserves $ 20,113 $ 100,075
Other leasehold costs 1,797 71
Development drilling 16,283 3,677
Exploratory drilling 3,514 285
Workovers and recompletions 1,646 2,357
Other 147 203
--------- ----------
Total $ 43,500 $ 106,668
========= ==========

Capital Resources and Liquidity

During the nine months ended September 30, 1997, the primary sources of
funds for the Company were cash generated from operations of $41.8 million,
borrowings under the Company's bank credit facility of $35.0 million and
proceeds from sales of properties of $5.1 million. Primary uses of funds for the
nine months ended September 30, 1997 were capital expenditures for acquisition,
development and exploratory activities of $43.5 million, the repayment of debt
of $32.1 million and the repurchase of common stock of $16.1 million.

On May 7, 1997, the Company acquired oil and gas producing properties
located in the Lisbon Field in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana for a net purchase
price $20.1 million. The acquisition was funded by borrowings under the
Company's bank credit facility.

On August 20, 1997, the holders of the Series 1995 Convertible Preferred
Stock converted all of the shares of the Series 1995 Convertible Preferred
Stock, $10 par value, into 1,345,373 shares of common stock of the Company. The
conversion of the Series 1995 Convertible Preferred Stock into common stock
reduced the dividends which would have been paid on the preferred stock by
$645,000 per annum.

13
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(continued)


On August 20, 1997, the Company repurchased the 1,345,373 shares of common
stock from the former preferred stockholders at $12.00 per share for an
aggregate purchase price of $16.1 million. The acquisition of the common shares
was funded by borrowings under the Company's 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 nine months ended September 30,
1997 and 1996, the Company spent $23.2 million and $6.4 million, respectively,
on development and exploration activities and $20.1 million and $100.0 million,
respectively, on acquisition activities. The Company currently anticipates
spending an additional $10.0 million on development and exploration projects
during the remainder of 1997. Except for the pending $205.0 million acquisition
discussed below, the Company does not have a specific acquisition budget, as a
result of the unpredictability of the timing and size of forthcoming acquisition
activities.

On October 22, 1997, the Company entered into a letter of intent to acquire
interests in certain offshore Louisiana oil and gas properties for a cash
purchase price of $205.0 million from Bois d'Arc Resources and its partners. The
Company is acquiring interests in 31 wells and eight separate production
complexes located in the Gulf of Mexico offshore of Plaquemines and Terrebonne
Parishes, Louisiana. The acquisition includes interests in the Louisiana State
and Federal offshore areas of Main Pass Blocks 21 and 25, Ship Shoal Blocks 66,
67, 68 and 69 and South Pelto Block 1. The acquisition is subject to the parties
executing a mutually agreeable purchase and sale agreement. The Company expects
to close the transaction on or about December 15, 1997.

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,
including the pending $205.0 million acquisition. 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 $170.0 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
September 30, 1997, the borrowing base was $170.0 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. 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 September 30, 1997, of all outstanding
indebtedness under the bank credit facility was approximately 6.4%. 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

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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.


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 6: EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

a. Exhibits

10.1* Amendment No. 4 to the Credit Agreement dated August 15,
1997 between the Company, the Banks party thereto and The
First National Bank of Chicago, as agent.

10.2* Office Lease Agreement dated August 12, 1997 between the
Company and Briar Center LLC.

27. Financial Data Schedule for the Nine Months ended September
30, 1997.

* Filed herewith.

b. Reports on Form 8-K

Current reports on Form 8-K filed during the third quarter of 1997 and to
the date of this filing are as follows:


Report Date Item Subject of Report

October 28, 1997 2 Acquisition of oil and gas properties
from Bois d' Arc Resources.




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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 November 10, 1997 /s/M. JAY ALLISON
-----------------
M. Jay Allison, President and Chief Executive Officer
Principal Executive Officer)


Date November 10, 1997 /s/ROLAND O. BURNS
------------------
Roland O. Burns, Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, and
Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)



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