<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION FROM THE FORM 10-K OF
HOWELL CORPORATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                            3742
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    65288
<ALLOWANCES>                                       239
<INVENTORY>                                       5428
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 76170
<PP&E>                                          404428
<DEPRECIATION>                                  209087
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  273326
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            76980
<BONDS>                                          96205
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        690
<COMMON>                                          4933
<OTHER-SE>                                       73397
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    273326
<SALES>                                         673537
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                673537
<CGS>                                           646676
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   646676
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                7109
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   8387
<INCOME-TAX>                                      3061
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      5326
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .60
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .60