<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL STATEMENT  INFORMATION FROM THE FORM 10-Q OF
HOWELL CORPORATION FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1995
<CASH>                                            2631
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    58025
<ALLOWANCES>                                       223
<INVENTORY>                                       3064
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 65325
<PP&E>                                          300782
<DEPRECIATION>                                  195943
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  262419
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            65644
<BONDS>                                         101074
<COMMON>                                          4837
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        690
<OTHER-SE>                                       70427
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    262419
<SALES>                                         151516
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                151516
<CGS>                                           146823
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   146823
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 627
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   1249
<INCOME-TAX>                                       417
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       832
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .05