<ARTICLE>                    5
<LEGEND>
     The financial data schedule contains summary financial information 
     extracted from the form 10-Q of Howell Corporation for the nine months 
     ended September 30, 1998, and is qualified in its entirety by reference 
     to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>             1000
       
                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>              9-mos   
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>          Dec-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>               Sep-30-1998
<CASH>                            232 
<SECURITIES>                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                   12035  
<ALLOWANCES>                      153
<INVENTORY>                        40
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                15396
<PP&E>                         452152
<DEPRECIATION>                 282320
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                 204988
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>           41243
<BONDS>                        107500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>               0
<PREFERRED>                       690
<COMMON>                         5472
<OTHER-SE>                      44818
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>   204988
<SALES>                         39059   
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                39059
<CGS>                           29345
<TOTAL-COSTS>                   29345
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                66118 
<LOSS-PROVISION>                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>               8206
<INCOME-PRETAX>                (67537)
<INCOME-TAX>                   (23180)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>            (44357)
<DISCONTINUED>                    396
<EXTRAORDINARY>                     0
<CHANGES>                           0
<NET-INCOME>                   (43961)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                      (8.37) 
<EPS-DILUTED>                      (8.37)