<ARTICLE>                    5
<LEGEND>
     The financial data schedule contains summary financial information
     extracted from the form 10-Q of Howell Corporation for the six months
     ended June 30, 1999, and is qualified in its entirety by reference
     to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>             1000

                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>              6-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>          Dec-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>               Jun-30-1999
<CASH>                            396
<SECURITIES>                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                    7061
<ALLOWANCES>                      161
<INVENTORY>                        40
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                10858
<PP&E>                         401586
<DEPRECIATION>                 311748
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                 120357
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>           10392
<BONDS>                         82906
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>               0
<PREFERRED>                       690
<COMMON>                         5472
<OTHER-SE>                      19722
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>   120357
<SALES>                         20060
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                20060
<CGS>                           14374
<TOTAL-COSTS>                   14374
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>               3998
<INCOME-PRETAX>                  (984)
<INCOME-TAX>                     (306)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>              (678)
<DISCONTINUED>                   1336
<EXTRAORDINARY>                     0
<CHANGES>                           0
<NET-INCOME>                      658
<EPS-BASIC>                   (0.10)
<EPS-DILUTED>                   (0.10)