<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND>
     The financial data schedule contains summary financial information
     extracted from the form 10-K of Howell Corporation for the year
     ended December 31, 1999, and is qualified in its entirety by reference
     to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>             1000

                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>              12-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>          Dec-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>               Dec-31-1999
<CASH>                           2112
<SECURITIES>                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                   10978
<ALLOWANCES>                      161
<INVENTORY>                        40
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                17557
<PP&E>                         406295
<DEPRECIATION>                 313249
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                 117983
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>           14587
<BONDS>                         82000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>               0
<PREFERRED>                       690
<COMMON>                         5472
<OTHER-SE>                      14518
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>   117983
<SALES>                         48310
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                48310
<CGS>                           29764
<TOTAL-COSTS>                   29764
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>               7329
<INCOME-PRETAX>                  7586
<INCOME-TAX>                     2641
<INCOME-CONTINUING>              4945
<DISCONTINUED>                  (7845)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                     0
<CHANGES>                           0
<NET-INCOME>                    (2900)
<EPS-BASIC>                   (0.97)
<EPS-DILUTED>                   (0.96)