U.S. crude futures end higher on encouraging data

NEW YORK, Sept 1 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures prices rose 2.77 percent on Wednesday, rebounding after two straight lower settlements, as strong manufacturing data from China and the United States revived risk appetite and countered recent concern about tepid oil demand.

The encouraging economic data and the weaker dollar helped offset the government's weekly inventory report that showed U.S. crude oil stocks rose more than expected last week.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, October crude <CLV0> rose $1.99, or 2.77 percent, to settle at $73.91, trading from $71.67 to $74.48. (Reporting by Robert Gibbons)