<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     The financial data schedule contains summary financial information
     extracted from the Form 10-Q of Howell Corporation for the three months
     ended March 31, 2000, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
     such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                    1000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               Dec-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                    Mar-31-2000
<CASH>                                 1608
<SECURITIES>                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                          9341
<ALLOWANCES>                            161
<INVENTORY>                              40
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                      13607
<PP&E>                               408311
<DEPRECIATION>                       315000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                       110036
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                 14951
<BONDS>                               70000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                     0
<PREFERRED>                             690
<COMMON>                               5522
<OTHER-SE>                            18200
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>         110036
<SALES>                               18276
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                      18276
<CGS>                                  8563
<TOTAL-COSTS>                          8563
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                          0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                     1667
<INCOME-PRETAX>                        6985
<INCOME-TAX>                           2445
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                    4540
<DISCONTINUED>                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<CHANGES>                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                           4540
<EPS-BASIC>                          0.71
<EPS-DILUTED>                          0.59