<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
    The financial data schedule contains summary financial information extracted
    from the Form 10-Q of  Howell  Corporation for the six months ended June 30,
    2000,  and  is qualified  in its  entirety by  reference  to such  financial
    statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                    1000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               Dec-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                    Jun-30-2000
<CASH>                                  288
<SECURITIES>                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                         10929
<ALLOWANCES>                             66
<INVENTORY>                              40
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                      13113
<PP&E>                               412906
<DEPRECIATION>                       316781
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                       111927
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                 15011
<BONDS>                               68000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                     0
<PREFERRED>                             690
<COMMON>                               5523
<OTHER-SE>                            22073
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>         111927
<SALES>                               37065
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                      37065
<CGS>                                 17795
<TOTAL-COSTS>                         17795
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                          0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                     3193
<INCOME-PRETAX>                       14291
<INCOME-TAX>                           5073
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                    9218
<DISCONTINUED>                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<CHANGES>                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                           9218
<EPS-BASIC>                          1.45
<EPS-DILUTED>                          1.19