<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains financial statement information from the Form 10-Q of
Howell Corporaiton for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                              20
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                     9107
<ALLOWANCES>                                       266
<INVENTORY>                                       2295
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 12270
<PP&E>                                          408961
<DEPRECIATION>                                  215072
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  153134
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            17355
<BONDS>                                          20081
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        690
<COMMON>                                          4996
<OTHER-SE>                                       85695
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    153134
<SALES>                                          17645
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 17645
<CGS>                                            13398
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    13398
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 465
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   2153
<INCOME-TAX>                                       751
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      1402
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .16