<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     The financial data schedule contains summary financial information
     extracted from the form 10-K of Howell Corporation for the year ended
     December 31, 1997, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
     such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              Dec-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   Dec-31-1997
<CASH>                                         56
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  5,520
<ALLOWANCES>                                   144
<INVENTORY>                                    45
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               9,365
<PP&E>                                         433,785
<DEPRECIATION>                                 207,557
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 266,711
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          25,573
<BONDS>                                        117,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    690
<COMMON>                                       5,465
<OTHER-SE>                                     91,484
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   266,711
<SALES>                                        34,663
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               34,663
<CGS>                                          24,285
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  24,285
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             1,671
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                4,780
<INCOME-TAX>                                   1,472
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            3,308
<DISCONTINUED>                                 773
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   4,081
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  0.32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0.31