<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION FROM THE FORM 10-Q OF
HOWELL CORPORATION FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                            6377
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    64137
<ALLOWANCES>                                       239
<INVENTORY>                                       4315
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 75839
<PP&E>                                          406901
<DEPRECIATION>                                  215022
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  269688
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            74117
<BONDS>                                          92785
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        690
<COMMON>                                          4936
<OTHER-SE>                                       74562
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    269688
<SALES>                                         180180
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                180180
<CGS>                                           172961
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   172961
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                1893
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   2502
<INCOME-TAX>                                       953
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      1549
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .19