LONDON, Oct 30 (Reuters) - European shares fell in early trade on Friday after sharp gains in the previous session on data showing the U.S. had emerged from recession, with weaker energy stocks putting pressure on the market.

At 0816 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares was down 0.2 percent at 995.58 points, having risen 1.8 percent on Thursday. The European benchmark is up more than 54 percent from its lifetime low of March 9, as investors have become more confident on the prospects for economic recovery.

Energy companies fell as crude prices slipped below $80 a barrel. Total, ENI, BP and Royal Dutch Shell fell between 0.7 and 1.1 percent.

The heavyweight banking sector was generally higher.

Barclays , Lloyds , Societe Generale , UBS and UniCredit rose between 1 and 5.1 percent.

"It will be more difficult for markets to rally further now," said Bernard McAlinden, investment strategist at NCB Stockbrokers. "You're not going to get the same positive surprises in economic news. The U.S. GDP was good news on the day, but the markets will remain worried about stimulus withdrawal."

The index is on course to end October flat, having fallen to a three-week low earlier in the week.

Telecommunications gear maker Alcatel-Lucent fell 2 percent after posting its twelfth straight quarterly net loss, hit hard by telecoms operators' sharp cutbacks in network investments.

Later in the day, investors' attention will switch to personal income and spending data from the United States.

Across Europe, Britain's FTSE 100 index , Germany's DAX and France's CAC 40 fell 0.1-0.5 percent.