Marine Controlled Source Electro-Magnetic (CSEM) for hydrocarbon exploration survey data can be classified into two groups. The ability to classify the raw survey data is crucial since this classification may indicate the presence of hydrocarbon. This paper presents the preliminary results of applying discriminant analysis in classifying CSEM data into dichotomous groups based on their electric field (E-field) and magnetic field (B-field) values. Two types of data, with and without hydrocarbon, were simulated and used to develop the discriminant model. Statistical analysis is carried out to test the significance of the discriminant function as a whole, the discrimination between groups and the extent to which that variable makes a unique contribution to the prediction of group membership. The results obtain indicates the potential of the discriminant analysis in classifying the data. © 2011 IEEE.