<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION FROM THE FORM 10-Q OF
HOWELL CORPORATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                            4110
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    77178
<ALLOWANCES>                                       251
<INVENTORY>                                       5476
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 88463
<PP&E>                                          408961
<DEPRECIATION>                                  218719
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  280649
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            93606
<BONDS>                                          83805
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        690
<COMMON>                                          4940
<OTHER-SE>                                       75490
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    280649
<SALES>                                         554958
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                554958
<CGS>                                           533731
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   533731
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                5666
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   7049
<INCOME-TAX>                                      2615
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      4434
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .53
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .53