March 28 (Reuters) - U.S. energy firms this week cut the

number of oil and natural gas rigs operating for the first time

in three weeks energy, services firm Baker Hughes ( BKR ) said

in its closely followed report on Friday.

The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future

output, fell by one to 592 in the week to March 28.

Baker Hughes ( BKR ) said this week's decline puts the total rig

count down 29 rigs, or 5% below this time last year.

Baker Hughes ( BKR ) said oil rigs fell by two to 484 this week,

while gas rigs rose by one to 103.