FORM 10-K
                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                          WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
(Mark One)

[x]  Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
       Act of 1934 [Fee Required]

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995

                                    OR

[ ]  Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
       Exchange Act of 1934 [No Fee Required]

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number   0-17707

               Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P.
                 (Exact name of registrant as specified in
                    its limited partnership agreement)

Delaware                                                     75-2220097    
(State or other jurisdiction                             (I.R.S. Employer  
of incorporation or organization)                       Identification No.)

407 N. Big Spring, Suite 300, Midland, Texas                   79701       
(Address of principal executive office)                      (Zip Code)    

Registrant's telephone number, including area code  (915) 686-9927 

        Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

                                   None

        Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                       limited partnership interests

     Indicate by check mark whether registrant (1) has filed reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days:     Yes   X    No      

     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K (229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein,
and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in
definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part
III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.     [x]

     The registrant's outstanding securities consist of Units of limited
partnership interests for which there exists no established public market
from which to base a calculation of aggregate market value.

     The total number of pages contained in this report is 40.  There is no
exhibit index.


                             Table of Contents

Item                                                                   Page

                                  Part I

 1.  Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

 2.  Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

 3.  Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders . . . . . . . . 8

                                  Part II

 5.  Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related
     Stockholder Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

 6.  Selected Financial Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
     Financial Condition and Results of Operations . . . . . . . . . . .11

 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data . . . . . . . . . . . .18

 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
     on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

                                 Part III

10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant. . . . . . . . .33

11.  Executive Compensation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
     Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions. . . . . . . . . . .38

                                  Part IV

14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports
     on Form 8-K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

     Signatures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40


                                  Part I

Item 1.   Business

General

          Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. (the "Partnership" or
"Registrant") was organized as a Delaware limited partnership on November 30,
1987.  The offering of limited partnership interests began March 31, 1988,
minimum capital requirements were met July 6, 1988, and the offering
concluded March 31, 1989.  The Partnership has no subsidiaries.

          The Partnership has expended its capital and acquired interests in
producing oil and gas properties.  After such acquisitions, the Partnership
has produced and marketed the crude oil and natural gas produced from such
properties.  In most cases, the Partnership purchased working interests in
oil and gas properties, with an occasional purchase of a royalty or
overriding royalty interest.  The Partnership purchased either all or part of
the rights and obligations under various oil and gas leases.

          The principal executive offices of the Partnership are located at
407 N. Big Spring, Suite 300, Midland, Texas, 79701.  The managing general
partner of the Partnership, Southwest Royalties, Inc. (the "Managing General
Partner") and its staff of 160 individuals, together with certain independent
consultants used on an "as needed" basis, perform various services on behalf
of the Partnership, including the selection of oil and gas properties and the
marketing of production from such properties.  H. H. Wommack, III, a
stockholder, director, President and Treasurer of the Managing General
Partner, is also a general partner.  The Partnership has no employees.

Principal Products, Marketing and Distribution

          The Partnership has acquired and holds working interests in oil and
gas properties located in New Mexico and Texas.  All activities of the
Partnership are confined to the continental United States.  All oil and gas
produced from these properties is sold to unrelated third parties in the oil
and gas business.

          The revenues generated from the Partnership's oil and gas
activities are dependent upon the current market for oil and gas.  With some
periodic exceptions, since the early 1980's, there has been a worldwide
oversupply of oil and gas; therefore, market prices have declined
significantly.  In the latter part of 1990 and early 1991, the Persian Gulf
crisis resulted in a short period of increased oil prices, with such prices
again falling following the cessation of hostilities.  The prices received by
the Partnership for its oil and gas production  depend upon numerous factors
beyond the Partnership's control, including competition, economic, political
and regulatory developments and competitive energy sources, and make it
particularly difficult to estimate future prices of oil and natural gas.


          For the last few years, the natural gas industry in the United
States has been affected generally by a decline in demand for natural gas, a
surplus in available natural gas, and enhanced delivery capability causing a
general deterioration in natural gas prices.

          Following is a table of the ratios of revenues received from oil
and gas production for the last three years:

                                  Oil          Gas

                    1995          84%          16%
                    1994          80%          20%
                    1993          79%          21%

          As the table indicates, the majority of the Partnership's revenue
is from its oil production; therefore, Partnership revenues will be highly
dependent upon the future prices and demands for oil.

Seasonality of Business

          Although the demand for natural gas is highly seasonal, with higher
demand in the colder winter months and in very hot summer months, the
Partnership has been able to sell all of its natural gas, either through
contracts in place or on the spot market at the then prevailing spot market
price.  As a result, the volumes sold by the Partnership have not fluctuated
materially with the change of season.

Customer Dependence

          No material portion of the Partnership's business is dependent on
a single purchaser, or a very few purchasers, the loss of one of which would
have a material adverse impact on the Partnership.  Two purchasers accounted
for 66% of the Partnership's total oil and gas production during 1995:
Scurlock Permian Corporation and Mobil Corporation purchased 48% and 18%,
respectively.  Two purchasers accounted for 59% of the Partnership's total
oil and gas production during 1994:  Scurlock Permian Corporation and Mobil
Corporation purchased 41% and 18%, respectively.  Two purchasers accounted
for 57% of the Partnership's total oil and gas production during 1993: 
Scurlock Permian Corporation and Mobil Corporation purchased 39% and 18%,
respectively.  In the event any of these purchasers were to discontinue
purchasing the Partnership's production, the Managing General Partner
believes that a substitute purchaser or purchasers could be located without
undue delay.  No other purchaser accounted for an amount equal to or greater
than 10% of the Partnership's sales of oil and gas production.

Competition

          Because the Partnership has utilized all of its funds available for
the acquisition of interests in producing oil and gas properties, it is not
subject to competition from other oil and gas property purchasers.  See
Item 2, Properties.


          Factors that may adversely affect the Partnership include delays in
completing arrangements for the sale of production, availability of a market
for production, rising operating costs of producing oil and gas and complying
with applicable water and air pollution  control statutes, increasing costs
and difficulties of transportation, and marketing of competitive fuels. 
Moreover, domestic oil and gas must compete with imported oil and gas and
with coal, atomic energy, hydroelectric power and other forms of energy.

Regulation

          Oil and Gas Production - The production and sale of oil and gas is
subject to federal and state governmental regulation in several respects,
such as existing price controls on natural gas and possible price controls on
crude oil, regulation of oil and gas production by state and local
governmental agencies, pollution and environmental controls and various other
direct and indirect regulation.  Many jurisdictions have periodically imposed
limitations on oil and gas production by restricting the rate of flow for oil
and gas wells below their actual capacity to produce and by imposing acreage
limitations for the drilling of wells.  The federal government has the power
to permit increases in the amount of oil imported from other countries and to
impose pollution control measures.

          Various aspects of the Partnership's oil and gas activities are
regulated by administrative agencies under statutory provisions of the states
where such activities are conducted and by certain agencies of the federal
government for operations on Federal leases.  Moreover, certain prices at
which the Partnership may sell its natural gas production are controlled by
the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978, the Natural Gas Wellhead Decontrol Act of
1989 and the regulations promulgated by the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission.

          Environmental - The Partnership's oil and gas activities are
subject to extensive federal, state and local laws and regulations governing
the generation, storage, handling, emission, transportation and discharge of
materials into the environment.  Governmental authorities have the power to
enforce compliance with their regulations, and violations carry substantial
penalties.  This regulatory burden on the oil and gas industry increases its
cost of doing business and consequently affects its profitability.  The
Managing General Partner is unable to predict what, if any, effect compliance
will have on the Partnership.

          Industry Regulations and Guidelines - Certain industry regulations
and guidelines apply to the registration, qualification and operation of oil
and gas programs in the form of limited partnerships.  The Partnership is
subject to these guidelines which regulate and restrict transactions between
the Managing General Partner and the Partnership.  The Partnership will
comply with these guidelines and the Managing General Partner does not
anticipate that compliance will have a material adverse affect on Partnership
operations.


Partnership Employees

          The Partnership has no employees; however, the Managing General
Partner has a staff of geologists, engineers, accountants, landmen and
clerical staff who engage in Partnership activities and operations and
perform additional services for the Partnership as needed.  In addition to
the Managing General Partner's staff, the Partnership engages independent
consultants such as petroleum engineers and geologists as needed.  As of
December 31, 1995, there were 160 individuals directly employed by the
Managing General Partner in various capacities.

Item 2.   Properties

          In determining whether an interest in a particular producing
property was to be acquired, the Managing General Partner considered such
criteria as estimated oil and gas reserves, estimated cash flow from the sale
of production, present and future prices of oil and gas, the extent of
undeveloped and unproved reserves, the potential for secondary, tertiary and
other enhanced recovery projects and the availability of markets.

          As of December 31, 1995, the Partnership possessed an interest in
oil and gas properties located in Winkler, Ward, Hockley, Reagan, Nolan,
Pecos, Garza, Reeves, Yoakum, Glasscock, Midland, Martin, Borden, Stonewall,
Schleicher, Dawson, Howard, Cochran, Mitchell, Coke, Upton, Runnels, Crockett
and Crane Counties of Texas; Eddy, Chaves and Lea Counties of New Mexico. 
These properties consist of various interests in approximately 158 wells and
units.

          Due to the Partnership's objective of maintaining current
operations without engaging in the drilling of any developmental or
exploratory wells, or additional acquisitions of producing properties, there
has not been any significant changes in properties during 1995, 1994 and
1993.

          Upon a determination by Management that they were either not
profitable to own or Management received an offer that exceeded the leases
reserves, the following leases were sold.

          During 1995, five leases were sold for approximately $84,500.  The
XIT Unit was sold effective March 1995, the Exxon Fee was sold effective July
1995 and the Cunningham, Johnson and Bolin Wallis were sold effective
November 1995.

          During 1994, there were no properties sold.

          During 1993, four leases were sold for approximately $84,700.  The
J.S. Todd leases were sold effective March 1993, the Murphy was sold
effective April 1993 and the Ft. Chadbourne Unit was sold effective July
1993.


Significant Properties

          The following table reflects the significant properties in which
the Partnership has an interest:

                          Date
                       Purchased       No. of         Proved Reserves*
Name and Location     and Interest     Wells      Oil (bbls)     Gas (mcf)

Mobil Acquisition     4/89 at 5%         17        125,949        204,996
Ward and Reeves       to 50% working
Counties, Texas       interest


North American        3/89 at 50%         3        146,922           -   
Royalties             working
Yoakum County,        interest
Texas

Ramsey/Sell           3/89 at 11%         7        141,184        140,713
Acquisition           to 51%
Winkler County,       working
Texas                 interest


*The reserve estimates were prepared as of January 1, 1996, by Donald R.
Creamer, P.E., an independent certified petroleum engineer, in accordance
with the rules and regulations of the SEC.  The calculation of reserves is a
function, among other things, of oil and gas prices and extraction costs. 
The fluctuation of such prices or costs would have a corresponding effect on
reserve estimates.  The oil price used in the preparation of the reserve
report as of January 1, 1996, was $17.89, which was the posted price at
December 31, 1995, adjusted by the Partnership's average oil price, with the
price of gas being the contract price for each respective lease.  As also
discussed in Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations, oil prices were subject to frequent
changes in 1995.


          The evaluation of oil and gas properties is not an exact science
and inevitably involves a significant degree of uncertainty, particularly
with respect to the quantity of oil or gas that any given property is capable
of producing.  Estimates of oil and gas reserves are based on available
geological and engineering data, the extent and quality of which may vary in
each case and, in certain instances, may prove to be inaccurate. 
Consequently, properties may be depleted more rapidly than the geological and
engineering data have indicated.  Unanticipated depletion, if it occurs, will
result in lower reserves than previously estimated; thus an ultimately lower
return for the Partnership.  Basic changes in past reserve estimates occur
annually.  As new data is gathered during the subsequent year, the engineer
must revise his earlier estimates.  A year of new information, which is
pertinent to the estimation of future recoverable volumes, is available
during the subsequent year evaluation.  In applying industry standards and
procedures, the new data may cause the previous estimates to be revised. 
This revision may increase or decrease the earlier estimated volumes. 
Pertinent information gathered during the year may include actual production
and decline rates, production from offset wells drilled to the same geologic
formation, increased or decreased water production, workovers, and changes in
lifting costs, among others.  Accordingly, reserve estimates are often
different from the quantities of oil and gas that are ultimately recovered.

          The Partnership has reserves which are classified as proved
developed producing, proved developed non-producing, proved undeveloped and
probable.  All of the proved reserves are included in the engineering reports
which evaluate the Partnership's present reserves. Probable reserves are not
included in the reserve evaluation, and are less certain than proved reserves
but can be estimated with a degree of certainty sufficient to indicate they
are more likely to be recovered than not.

          Because the Partnership does not engage in drilling activities, the
development of proved undeveloped reserves is conducted pursuant to farm-out
arrangements with the Managing General Partner or unrelated third parties. 
Generally, the Partnership retains a carried interest such as an overriding
royalty interest under the terms of a farm-out, or receives cash.

          The Partnership or the owners of properties in which the
Partnership owns an interest can engage in workover projects or supplementary
recovery projects, for example, to extract behind the pipe reserves which
qualify as proved developed non-producing reserves.  See Part II, Item 7,
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.

Item 3.   Legal Proceedings

          There are no material pending legal proceedings to which the
Partnership is a party.

Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

          No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders during the
fourth quarter of 1995 through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise.


                                  Part II


Item 5.   Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
          Matters

Market Information

          Limited partnership interests, or units, in the Partnership were
initially offered and sold for a price of $500.  Limited partner units are
not traded on any exchange and there is no public or organized trading market
for them.  The Managing General Partner has become aware of certain limited
and sporadic transfers of units between limited partners and third parties,
but has no verifiable information regarding the prices at which such units
have been transferred. Further, a transferee may not become a substitute
limited partner without the consent of the Managing General Partner.

          After completion of the Partnership's first full fiscal year of
operations and each year thereafter, the Managing General Partner has offered
and will continue to offer to purchase each limited partner's interest in the
Partnership, at a price based on tangible assets of the Partnership, plus the
present value of the future net revenues of proved oil and gas properties,
minus liabilities with a risk factor discount of up to one-third which may be
implemented in the sole discretion of the Managing General Partner.  However,
the Managing General Partner's obligation to purchase limited partner units
is limited to an expenditure of an amount not in excess of 10% of the total
limited partner units initially subscribed for by limited partners.   In
1995, 257 limited partner units were tendered to and purchased by the
Managing General Partner at an average base price of $128.62 per unit.  In
1994, 44 limited partner units were tendered to and purchased by the Managing
General Partner at an average base price of $73.37 per unit.  In 1993, 183
limited partner units were tendered to and purchased by the Managing General
Partner at an average base price of $149.40 per unit.

Number of Limited Partner Interest Holders

          As of December 31, 1995, there were 630 holders of limited partner
units in the Partnership.

Distributions

          Pursuant to Article IV, Section 4.01 of the Partnership's
Certificate and Agreement of Limited Partnership "Net Cash Flow" is
distributed to the partners on a monthly basis.  "Net Cash Flow" is defined
as "the cash generated by the Partnership's investments in producing oil and
gas properties, less (i) General and Administrative Costs, (ii) Operating
Costs, and (iii) any reserves necessary to meet current and anticipated needs
of the Partnership, as determined in the sole discretion of the Managing
General Partner." 


          During 1995, twelve monthly distributions were made totaling
$429,924, with $391,224 distributed to the limited partners and $38,700
distributed to the general partners. For the year ended December 31, 1995,
distributions of $28.77 per limited partner unit were made, based on 13,596
limited partner units outstanding.  During 1994, twelve monthly distributions
were made totaling $278,000, with $250,200 distributed to the limited
partners and $27,800 distributed to the general partners.  For the year ended
December 31, 1994, distributions of $18.40 per limited partner unit were
made, based on 13,596 limited partner units outstanding.  During 1993, twelve
monthly distributions were made totaling $595,732, with $542,012 distributed
to the limited partners and $53,720 distributed to the general partners. For
the year ended December 31, 1993, distributions of $39.87 per limited partner
unit were made, based on 13,596 limited partner units outstanding.

Item 6.   Selected Financial Data

          The following selected financial data for the years ended
December 31, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992 and 1991 should be read in conjunction
with the financial statements included in Item 8:

                                    Year ended December 31,
                     -----------------------------------------------------
                       1995       1994       1993       1992       1991
                       ----       ----       ----       ----       ----
Revenues           $ 1,511,905  1,332,582  1,567,894  2,241,436  2,949,708

Net income (loss)      259,472    111,820   (942,312)    55,643    269,370

Partners' share of
 net income (loss):

  General partners      41,647     29,582     35,298     61,979    103,052

  Limited partners     217,825     82,238   (977,610)    (6,336)   166,318

Limited partners'
 net income (loss)
 per unit                16.02       6.05     (71.90)      (.47)     12.23

Limited partners' 
 cash distributions
 per unit                28.77      18.40      39.87      67.08      75.89

Total assets       $ 1,762,282  1,935,208  2,099,330  3,636,600  4,572,607


Item 7.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
          Results of Operations

General

          The Partnership was formed to acquire interests in producing oil
and gas properties, to produce and market crude oil and natural gas produced
from such properties and to distribute any net proceeds from operations to
the general and limited partners.  Net revenues  from producing oil and gas
properties are not reinvested in other revenue producing assets except to the
extent that producing facilities and wells are reworked or where methods are
employed to improve or enable more efficient recovery of oil and gas
reserves.  The economic life of the Partnership thus depends on the period
over which the Partnership's oil and gas reserves are economically
recoverable.

          Increases or decreases in Partnership revenues and, therefore,
distributions to partners will depend primarily on changes in the prices
received for production, changes in volumes of production sold, lease
operating expenses, enhanced recovery projects, offset drilling activities
pursuant to farm-out arrangements and on the depletion of wells.  Since wells
deplete over time, production can generally be expected to decline from year
to year.

          Well operating costs and general and administrative costs usually
decrease with production declines; however, these costs may not decrease
proportionately.  Net income available for distribution to the limited
partners is therefore expected to fluctuate in later years based on these
factors.


Results of Operations

A.   General Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 1995 and 1994

     The following table provides certain information regarding performance
factors for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994:

                                             Year Ended         Percentage
                                             December 31,        Increase
                                           1995       1994      (Decrease)
                                           ----       ----      ----------
Average price per barrel of oil       $     16.90      15.65        8%
Average price per mcf of gas          $      2.02       2.03        - 
Oil production in barrels                  75,400     68,200       11%
Gas production in mcf                     116,400    129,800      (10%)
Gross oil and gas revenue             $ 1,509,663  1,330,535       13%
Net oil and gas revenue               $   526,123    409,764       28%
Partnership distributions             $   429,924    278,000       55%
Limited partner distributions         $   391,224    250,200       56%
Per unit distribution to limited
 partners                             $     28.77      18.40       56%
Number of limited partner units            13,596     13,596

Revenues:

The Partnership's oil and gas revenues increased to $1,509,663 from
$1,330,535 for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively, an
increase of 13%.  The principal factors affecting the comparison of the years
ended December 31, 1995 and 1994 are as follows:

1.   The average price for a barrel of oil received by the Partnership
     increased during the year ended December 31, 1995 as compared to the
     year ended December 31, 1994 by 8%, or $1.25 per barrel, resulting in an
     increase of approximately $85,300 in revenue.  Oil sales represented 84%
     of total oil and gas sales during the year ended December 31, 1995 as
     compared to 80% during the year ended December 31, 1994.

     The average price for an mcf of gas received by the Partnership
     decreased during the same period by less than 1%, resulting in a
     decrease of approximately $1,300 in revenue.  

     The net total increase in revenue due to the change in prices received
     from oil and gas production is approximately $84,000.  The market price
     for oil and gas has been extremely volatile over the past decade, and
     management expects a certain amount of volatility to continue in the
     foreseeable future.


2.   Oil production increased approximately 7,200 barrels or 11% during the
     year ended December 31, 1995 as compared to the year ended December 31,
     1994, resulting in an increase of approximately $121,700 in revenue.

     Gas production decreased approximately 13,400 mcf or 10% during the same
     period, resulting in a decrease of approximately $27,100 in revenue.

     The net total increase in revenue due to the change in production is
     approximately $94,600.  The increase is a result of successful
     workovers.

Costs and Expenses:

Total costs and expenses increased to $1,252,433 from $1,220,762 for the
years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively, an increase of 3%. The
increase is the result of an increase in production costs, offset by a
decrease in general and administrative expense and depletion.

1.   Lease operating costs and production taxes were 7% higher, or
     approximately $62,800 more during the year ended December 31, 1995 as
     compared to the year ended December 31, 1994.  The increase is a result
     of workover costs incurred in 1995.

2.   General and administrative costs consists of independent accounting and
     engineering fees, computer services, postage, and Managing General
     Partner personnel costs.  General and administrative costs decreased 4%
     or approximately $4,100 during the year ended December 31, 1995 as
     compared to the year ended December 31, 1994.

3.   Depletion expense decreased to $157,000 for the year ended December 31,
     1995 from $184,000 for the same period in 1994.  This represents a
     decrease of 15%.  Depletion is calculated using the gross revenue method
     of amortization based on a percentage of current period gross revenues
     to total future gross oil and gas revenues, as estimated by the
     Partnership's independent petroleum consultants.  Although oil and gas
     revenues increased for the year ended December 31, 1995 as compared to
     the year ended December 31, 1994, the decrease in depletion expense is
     the result of the change in oil prices since 1994.


B.   General Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 1994 and 1993

     The following table provides certain information regarding performance
factors for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1993:

                                             Year Ended         Percentage
                                             December 31,        Increase
                                           1994       1993      (Decrease)
                                           ----       ----      ----------
Average price per barrel of oil        $     15.65     16.14       (3%)
Average price per mcf of gas           $      2.03      2.25      (10%)
Oil production in barrels                   68,200    76,900*     (11%)
Gas production in mcf                      129,800   144,100*     (10%)
Gross oil and gas revenue              $ 1,330,535 1,565,659      (15%)
Net oil and gas revenue                $   409,764   468,110      (12%)
Partnership distributions              $   278,000   595,732      (53%)
Limited partner distributions          $   250,200   542,012      (54%)
Per unit distribution to limited
 partners                              $     18.40     39.87      (54%)
Number of limited partner units             13,596    13,596 

*In the Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 1993, the oil and gas
production volumes were calculated by rounding to the nearest 1,000 barrels
or mcf, respectively.  In the Form  10-K, for the year ended December 31,
1994, the oil and gas production volumes were calculated by rounding to the
nearest 100 barrels or mcf, respectively.

Revenues:

The Partnership's oil and gas revenues decreased to $1,330,535 from
$1,565,659 for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1993, respectively, a
decrease of 15%.  The principal factors affecting the comparison of the years
ended December 31, 1994 and 1993 are as follows:

1.  The average price for a barrel of oil received by the Partnership
    decreased during the year ended December 31, 1994 as compared to the year
    ended December 31, 1993 by 3%, or $.49 per barrel, resulting in a
    decrease of approximately $37,700 in revenue.  Oil sales represented 80%
    of total oil and gas sales during the year ended December 31, 1994 as
    compared to 79% during the year ended December 31, 1993.

    The average price for an mcf of gas received by the Partnership decreased
    during the same period by 10%, or $.22 per mcf, resulting in a decrease
    of approximately $31,700 in revenue.  

    The total decrease in revenue due to the change in prices received from
    oil and gas production is approximately $69,400.  The market price for
    oil and gas has been extremely volatile over the past decade, and
    management expects a certain amount of volatility to continue in the
    foreseeable future.


2.  Oil production decreased approximately 8,700 barrels or 11% during the
    year ended December 31, 1994 as compared to the year ended December 31,
    1993, resulting in a decrease of approximately $136,200 in revenue.

    Gas production decreased approximately 14,300 mcf or 10% during the same
    period, resulting in a decrease of approximately $29,000 in revenue.

    The total decrease in revenue due to the change in production is
    approximately $165,200.  The decrease in production is attributable to
    eleven properties which experienced mechanical or downhole problems
    during the year ended 1994.  Management has made, or is in the process
    of making, the necessary repairs on eight of the above mentioned
    properties and is currently evaluating the economic feasibility of
    repairing the remaining properties.  Management expects this decline in
    production to level out to a more normal rate of decline and expects a
    certain amount of decline in production to continue in the future until
    the partnership's economically recoverable reserves are fully depleted.

Costs and Expenses:

Total costs and expenses decreased to $1,220,762 from $2,510,206 for the
years ended December 31, 1994 and 1993, respectively, a decrease of 51%.  The
decrease is the result of a decrease in production costs, general and
administrative expense and depletion.

1.  Lease operating costs and production taxes were 16% lower, or
    approximately $176,800 less during the year ended December 31, 1994 as
    compared to the year ended December 31, 1993.  The decrease is a result
    primarily of mechanical, equipment and downhole repairs made to several
    properties during the year ended 1993. The decrease is also attributed
    to four property sales made during 1993 which had some lease operating
    expenses associated with these properties during 1993.

2.  General and administrative costs consists of independent accounting and
    engineering fees, computer services, postage, and Managing General
    Partner personnel costs.  General and administrative decreased 1% or
    approximately $1,400 during the year ended December 31, 1994 as compared
    to the year ended December 31, 1993.

3.  Depletion expense decreased to $184,000 for the year ended December 31,
    1994 from $552,000 for the same period in 1993.  This represents a
    decrease of 67%.  Depletion is calculated using the gross revenue method
    of amortization based on a percentage of current period gross revenues
    to total future gross oil and gas revenues, as estimated by the
    Partnership's independent petroleum consultants.  Consequently, depletion
    will usually fluctuate in direct relation to oil and gas revenues.  As
    noted above, oil and gas revenues declined due to a decline in oil and
    gas prices and production for the year ended December 31, 1994 as
    compared to the same period for 1993.


C.  Revenue and Distribution Comparison

    Partnership net income or (loss) for the years ended December 31, 1995,
1994, and 1993 was $259,472, $111,820, and ($942,312), respectively. 
Excluding the effects of depreciation, depletion and amortization, net income
for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993 would have been
$416,472, $295,820, and $352,973, respectively.  Correspondingly, Partnership
distributions for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993 were
$429,924, $278,000, and $595,732, respectively.  These differences are
indicative of the changes in oil and gas prices, production and properties
during 1995, 1994 and 1993.

    The sources for the 1995 distributions of $429,924 were oil and gas
operations of approximately $389,800 and property sales of approximately
$88,500, offset by additions to oil and gas properties of approximately
$47,400, resulting in excess cash for contingencies or subsequent
distributions.  The sources for the 1994 distributions of $278,000 were oil
and gas operations of approximately $301,200, offset by additions to oil and
gas properties of approximately $1,700, resulting in excess cash for
contingencies or subsequent distributions.  The sources of the 1993
distributions of $595,732 were oil and gas operations of approximately
$419,600 and property sales of approximately $158,400, offset by additions to
oil and gas properties of approximately $12,800, with the balance from
available cash on hand at the beginning of the period.  

    Total distributions during the year ended December 31, 1995 were $429,924
of which $391,224 was distributed to the limited partners and $38,700 to the
general partners.  The per unit distribution to limited partners during the
same period was $28.77.  Total distributions during the year ended December
31, 1994 were $278,000 of which $250,200 was distributed to the limited
partners and $27,800 to the general partners.  The per unit distribution to
limited partners during the same period was $18.40.  Total distributions
during the year ended 1993 were $595,732 of which $542,012 was distributed to
the limited partners and $53,720 to the general partners.  The per unit
distribution to limited partners during the same period was $39.87.  

    Since inception of the Partnership, cumulative monthly cash distributions
of $5,576,939 have been made to the partners.  As of December 31, 1995,
$5,057,818 or $372.01 per limited partner unit, has been distributed to the
limited partners, representing a 74% return of the capital contributed.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

          The primary source of cash is from operations, the receipt of
income from interests in oil and gas properties.  The Partnership knows of no
material change, nor does it anticipate any such change.

          Cash flows provided by operating activities were approximately
$389,800 in 1995, compared to approximately $301,200 in 1994 and
approximately $419,600 in 1993.  The primary source of the 1995 cash flow
from operating activities was profitable operations.


          Cash flows provided by or (used in) investing activities were
approximately $41,100 in 1995, compared to approximately ($1,700) in 1994 and
approximately $145,600 in 1993.  The principal source of the 1995 cash flow
from investing activities was the sale of oil and gas properties, offset by
additions to oil and gas properties.

          Cash flows used in financing activities were approximately $429,600
in 1995, compared to approximately $278,000 in 1994 and approximately
$595,600 in 1993.  The only use in financing activities was the distributions
to partners.

          As of December 31, 1995, the Partnership had approximately $185,000
in working capital.  The Managing General Partner knows of no unusual
contractual commitments and believes the revenue generated from operations
are adequate to meet the needs of the Partnership.


Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

                       Index to Financial Statements

                                                                       Page

Report of Independent Accountants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Balance Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Statements of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Statement of Changes in Partners' Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Statements of Cash Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Notes to Financial Statements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25











                     REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


To the Partners
Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund
 VIII-A, L.P.
Midland, Texas

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Southwest Oil & Gas Income
Fund VIII-A, L.P. as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the related
statements of operations, changes in partners' equity and cash flows for each
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995.  These financial
statements are the responsibility of the partnership's management.  Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based
on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. 
An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Southwest Oil & Gas Income
Fund VIII-A, L.P. as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1995, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.


                        JOSEPH DECOSIMO AND COMPANY
                        A Tennessee Registered Limited Liability Partnership


Chattanooga, Tennessee
March 20, 1996


               Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)
                              Balance Sheets
                        December 31, 1995 and 1994


                                                       1995        1994
                                                       ----        ----

     Assets

Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                        $    38,356      37,115
  Receivable from Managing General
   Partner                                             147,157     120,250
                                                     ---------   ---------
    Total current assets                               185,513     157,365
                                                     ---------   ---------

Oil and gas properties - using the 
 full-cost method of accounting                      5,501,878   5,545,952
  Less accumulated depreciation,
   depletion and amortization                        3,925,109   3,768,109
                                                     ---------   ---------
    Net oil and gas properties                       1,576,769   1,777,843
                                                     ---------   ---------
                                                   $ 1,762,282   1,935,208
                                                     =========   =========

    Liabilities and Partners' Equity

Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable                                 $     -           2,768
  Distribution payable                                     536         242
                                                     ---------   ---------
    Total current liabilities                              536       3,010
                                                     ---------   ---------
Partners' equity:
  General partners                                      18,943      15,996
  Limited partners                                   1,742,803   1,916,202
                                                     ---------   ---------
    Total partners' equity                           1,761,746   1,932,198
                                                     ---------   ---------
                                                   $ 1,762,282   1,935,208
                                                     =========   =========






                  The accompanying notes are an integral
                    part of these financial statements.


               Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)
                         Statements of Operations
               Years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993


                                           1995        1994        1993
                                           ----        ----        ----

    Revenues

Oil and gas revenue                   $  1,509,663   1,330,535   1,565,659
Interest                                     2,242       2,047       2,235
                                         ---------   ---------   ---------
                                         1,511,905   1,332,582   1,567,894
                                         ---------   ---------   ---------
    Expenses

Production                                 983,540     920,771   1,097,549
General and administrative                 111,893     115,991     117,372
Depreciation, depletion and
 amortization                              157,000     184,000     576,964
Provision for impairment of oil 
 and gas properties                          -           -         718,321
                                         ---------   ---------   ---------
                                         1,252,433   1,220,762   2,510,206
                                         ---------   ---------   ---------
Net income (loss)                     $    259,472     111,820    (942,312)
                                         =========   =========   =========
Net income (loss) allocated to:

  Managing General Partner            $     37,482      26,624      31,768
                                         =========   =========   =========
  General partner                     $      4,165       2,958       3,530
                                         =========   =========   =========
  Limited partners                    $    217,825      82,238    (977,610)
                                         =========   =========   =========
    Per limited partner unit          $      16.02        6.05      (71.90)
                                         =========   =========   =========












                  The accompanying notes are an integral
                    part of these financial statements.


               Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)
                 Statement of Changes in Partners' Equity
               Years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993


                                          General     Limited
                                          Partners    Partners     Total
                                          --------    --------     -----

Balance at December 31, 1992            $  32,636    3,603,786   3,636,422

  Net income (loss)                        35,298     (977,610)   (942,312)

  Distributions                           (53,720)    (542,012)   (595,732)
                                           ------    ---------   ---------
Balance at December 31, 1993               14,214    2,084,164   2,098,378

  Net income                               29,582       82,238     111,820

  Distributions                           (27,800)    (250,200)   (278,000)
                                           ------    ---------   ---------
Balance at December 31, 1994               15,996    1,916,202   1,932,198

  Net income                               41,647      217,825     259,472

  Distributions                           (38,700)    (391,224)   (429,924)
                                           ------    ---------   ---------
Balance at December 31, 1995            $  18,943    1,742,803   1,761,746
                                           ======    =========   =========





















                  The accompanying notes are an integral
                    part of these financial statements.


               Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)
                         Statements of Cash Flows
               Years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993


                                           1995        1994        1993
                                           ----        ----        ----

Cash flows from operating
 activities:

  Cash received from oil and
   gas sales                          $  1,488,831   1,343,043   1,664,659
  Cash paid to suppliers                (1,101,276) (1,043,861) (1,247,269)
  Interest received                          2,242       2,047       2,235
                                         ---------   ---------   ---------
    Net cash provided by operating
     activities                            389,797     301,229     419,625
                                         ---------   ---------   ---------
Cash flows from investing
 activities:

  Additions to oil and gas
   properties                              (47,449)     (1,737)    (12,775)
  Sale of oil and gas properties            88,523        -        158,379
                                         ---------   ---------   ---------
    Net cash provided by (used in) 
     investing activities                   41,074      (1,737)    145,604
                                         ---------   ---------   ---------
Cash flows used in financing
 activities:

  Distributions to partners               (429,630)   (278,045)   (595,623)
                                         ---------   ---------   ---------
    Net increase (decrease) in cash          1,241      21,447     (30,394)

Cash and cash equivalents:
  Beginning of year                         37,115      15,668      46,062
                                         ---------   ---------   ---------
  End of year                         $     38,356      37,115      15,668
                                         =========   =========   =========

                                                                (continued)







                  The accompanying notes are an integral
                    part of these financial statements.


               Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)
                    Statements of Cash Flows, continued
               Years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993


                                                 1995      1994     1993
                                                 ----      ----     ----

Reconciliation of net income (loss)
 to net cash provided by operating
 activities:

Net income (loss)                           $  259,472   111,820  (942,312)

Adjustments to reconcile net
 income (loss) to net cash
 provided by operating activities:

  Depreciation, depletion and
   amortization                                157,000   184,000   576,964
  (Increase) decrease in receivables           (20,873)   12,508    99,000
  Decrease in payables                          (5,802)   (7,099)  (32,348)
  Provision for impairment of oil 
   and gas properties                             -         -      718,321
                                               -------   -------   -------
Net cash provided by operating
 activities                                 $  389,797   301,229   419,625
                                               =======   =======   =======

Supplemental schedule of noncash 
 investing and financing activities:

  Sale of oil and gas property
   included in receivable from
   Managing General Partner                 $    3,000      -         -   















                  The accompanying notes are an integral
                    part of these financial statements.


               Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


1.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

     Oil and Gas Properties

     Oil and gas properties are accounted for at cost under the full-cost
     method.  Under this method, all productive and nonproductive costs
     incurred in connection with the acquisition, exploration and development
     of oil and gas reserves are capitalized.  Gain or loss on the sale of
     oil and gas properties is not recognized unless significant oil and gas
     reserves are involved.

     The Partnership's policy for depreciation, depletion and amortization of
     oil and gas properties is computed over their remaining useful life
     using the units of revenue method based on dollars of future gross
     revenue attributable to proved oil and gas reserves.

     Under the future gross revenue method, the Partnership computes the
     provision by multiplying the total unamortized cost of oil and gas
     properties by an overall rate determined by dividing (a) oil and gas
     revenues during the period by (b) the total future gross oil and gas
     revenues as estimated by the Partnership's independent petroleum
     consultants.  It is reasonably possible that those estimates of
     anticipated future gross revenues, the remaining estimated economic life
     of the product, or both could be changed significantly in the near term
     due to the potential fluctuation of oil and gas prices or production. 
     The depletion estimate would also be affected by this change.

     Should the net capitalized costs exceed the estimated present value of
     oil and gas reserves, discounted at 10%, such excess costs would be
     charged to current expense.  As of December 31, 1995 and 1994, the net
     capitalized costs did not exceed the estimated present value of oil and
     gas reserves.  In 1993, the Partnership reduced the net capitalized
     costs of oil and gas properties by $718,321.  This write-down had the
     effect of reducing net income, but did not affect cash flow or partner
     distributions.

     Estimates and Uncertainties

     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
     accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
     assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities
     and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the
     financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
     during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those
     estimates.



               Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


     Syndication Costs

     Syndication costs are accounted for as a reduction of partnership
     equity.

     Environmental Costs

     The Partnership is subject to extensive federal, state and local
     environmental laws and regulations.  These laws, which are constantly
     changing, regulate the discharge of materials into the environment and
     may require the Partnership to remove or mitigate the environmental
     effects of the disposal or release of petroleum or chemical substances
     at various sites.  Environmental expenditures are expensed or
     capitalized depending on their future economic benefit.  Costs which
     improve a property as compared with the condition of the property when
     originally constructed or acquired and costs which prevent future
     environmental contamination are capitalized.  Expenditures that relate
     to an existing condition caused by past operations and that have no
     future economic benefits are expensed.  Liabilities for expenditures of
     a non-capital nature are recorded when environmental assessment and/or
     remediation is probable, and the costs can be reasonably estimated.

     Gas Balancing

     The Partnership utilizes the sales method of accounting for over/under
     deliveries of gas.  Under this method, the Partnership records revenues
     based on the payments it has received for sales from its purchasers.  As
     of December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, the Partnership was overproduced by
     approximately 59, 60, and 60 mcf, respectively.

     Income Taxes

     No provision for income taxes is reflected in these financial
     statements, since the tax effects of the Partnership's income or loss
     are passed through to the individual partners.

     In accordance with the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting
     Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes, the Partnership's tax
     basis in its oil and gas properties at December 31, 1995 and 1994 is
     $203,903 and $257,768 more, respectively, than that shown on the
     accompanying Balance Sheets in accordance with generally accepted
     accounting principles.



               Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


     Cash and Cash Equivalents

     For purposes of the statement of cash flows, the Partnership considers
     all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three
     months or less to be cash equivalents.  The Partnership maintains its
     cash at one financial institution.

     Number of Limited Partner Units

     As of December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, there were 13,596 limited
     partner units outstanding.

2.   Organization

     Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. was organized under the
     laws of the state of Delaware on November 30, 1987, for the purpose of
     acquiring producing oil and gas properties and to produce and market
     crude oil and natural gas produced from such properties for a term of 50
     years, unless terminated at an earlier date as provided for in the
     Partnership Agreement.  The Partnership sells its oil and gas production
     to a variety of purchasers with the prices it receives being dependent
     upon the oil and gas economy.  Southwest Royalties, Inc. serves as the
     Managing General Partner and H. H. Wommack, III,  as the individual
     general partner.  Revenues, costs and expenses are allocated as follows:

                                                     Limited      General
                                                     Partners     Partners
                                                     --------     --------
     Interest income on capital contributions          100%          - 
     Oil and gas sales                                  90%         10%
     All other revenues                                 90%         10%
     Organization and offering costs (1)               100%          - 
     Amortization of organization costs                100%          - 
     Syndication costs                                 100%          - 
     Property acquisition costs                        100%          - 
     Gain/loss on property disposition                  90%         10%
     Operating and administrative costs (2)             90%         10%
     Depreciation, depletion and amortization
      of oil and gas properties                        100%          - 
     All other costs                                    90%         10%
     
     (1)  All organization costs in excess of 3% of initial capital
          contributions will be paid by the Managing General Partner and will
          be treated as a capital contribution.  The Partnership paid the
          Managing General Partner an amount equal to 3% of initial capital
          contributions for such organization costs.


               Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


2.   Organization - continued

(2)  Administrative costs in any year which exceed 2% of capital
     contributions shall be paid by the Managing General Partner and will be
     treated as a capital contribution.

3.   Oil and Gas Properties

     Costs incurred in connection with the Partnership's oil and gas
     producing activities for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and
     1993 are as follows:

                                                1995      1994      1993
                                                ----      ----      ----

     Development costs                      $   47,449     1,737    12,775
                                               =======   =======   =======
     Depreciation, depletion and
      amortization                          $  157,000   184,000   576,964
                                               =======   =======   =======
     Impairment of oil and gas
      properties                            $     -         -      718,321
                                               =======   =======   =======

     All of the Partnership's properties were proved when acquired.


               Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


4.   Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

     The Partnership is subject to various federal, state and local
     environmental laws and regulations which establish standards and
     requirements for protection of the environment.  The Partnership cannot
     predict the future impact of such standards and requirements, which are
     subject to change and can have retroactive effectiveness.  The
     Partnership continues to monitor the status of these laws and
     regulations.

     As of December 31, 1995, the Partnership has not been fined, cited or
     notified of any environmental violations and management is not aware of
     any unasserted violations which would have a material adverse effect
     upon capital expenditures, earnings or the competitive position in the
     oil and gas industry.  However, the Managing General Partner does
     recognize by the very nature of its business, material costs could be
     incurred in the near term to bring the Partnership into total
     compliance.  The amount of such future expenditures is not reliably
     determinable due to several factors, including the unknown magnitude of
     possible contaminations, the unknown timing and extent of the corrective
     actions which may be required, the determination of the Partnership's
     liability in proportion to other responsible parties and the extent to
     which such expenditures are recoverable from insurance or
     indemnifications from prior owners of Partnership's properties.

5.   Related Party Transactions

     A significant portion of the oil and gas properties in which the
     Partnership has an interest are operated by and purchased from the
     Managing General Partner.  As is usual in the industry and as provided
     for in the operating agreement for each respective oil and gas property
     in which the Partnership has an interest, the operator is paid an amount
     for administrative overhead attributable to operating such properties,
     with such amounts to Southwest Royalties, Inc. as operator approximating
     $130,000, $133,000, and $141,000 for the years ended December 31, 1995,
     1994 and 1993, respectively.  In addition, the Managing General Partner
     and certain officers and employees may have an interest in some of the
     properties that the Partnership also participates.

     Certain subsidiaries of the Managing General Partner perform various oil
     field services for properties in which the Partnership owns an interest. 
     Such services aggregated approximately $26,000, $31,000, and $75,000 for
     the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively, and the
     Managing General Partner believes that these costs are comparable to
     similar charges paid by the Partnership to unrelated third parties.


               Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


5.   Related Party Transactions - continued

     Southwest Royalties, Inc., the Managing General Partner, was paid
     $98,400 during 1995, 1994 and 1993 as an administrative fee for indirect
     general and administrative overhead expenses.

     Amounts due from Southwest Royalties, Inc. as of December 31, 1995 and
     1994 totaled $147,157 and $120,250, respectively, all of which is from
     oil and gas production which is distributed to the Partnership
     subsequent to the end of the year.

     In addition, a director and officer of the Managing General Partner is
     a partner in a law firm, with such firm providing legal services to the
     Partnership approximating none, $200, and $1,000 for the years ended
     December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.

6.   Major Customers

     Two customers purchased 48% and 18% of the Partnership's oil and gas
     production during 1995. Two customers purchased 41% and 18% of the
     Partnership's oil and gas production during 1994.  During 1993, two
     customers purchased 39% and 18% of the Partnership's oil and gas
     production.


               Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


7.   Estimated Oil and Gas Reserves (unaudited)

     The Partnership's interest in proved oil and gas reserves is as follows:

                                                    Oil (bbls)   Gas (mcf)
                                                    ----------   ---------
     Proved developed and undeveloped reserves -

     January 1, 1993                                 682,000     1,049,000

       Revisions of previous estimates              (167,000)        3,000
       Production                                    (77,000)     (144,000)
                                                     -------     ---------
     December 31, 1993                               438,000       908,000

       Revisions of previous estimates               303,000       145,000
       Production                                    (68,000)     (130,000)
                                                     -------     ---------
     December 31, 1994                               673,000       923,000

       Revisions of previous estimates               100,000       269,000
       Production                                    (75,000)     (116,000)
       Sale of minerals in place                     (13,000)       (5,000)
                                                     -------     ---------
     December 31, 1995                               685,000     1,071,000
                                                     =======     =========

     Proved developed reserves - 

     December 31, 1993                               374,000       860,000
                                                     =======     =========
     December 31, 1994                               585,000       832,000
                                                     =======     =========
     December 31, 1995                               620,000       973,000
                                                     =======     =========

     All of the Partnership's reserves are located within the continental
     United States.


Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and
          Financial Disclosure

          None.


                                 Part III


Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

          Management of the Partnership is provided by Southwest Royalties,
Inc., as Managing General Partner.  The names, ages, offices, positions and
length of service of the directors and executive officers of Southwest
Royalties, Inc. are set forth below.  Each director and executive officer
serves for a term of one year.  The present directors of the Managing General
Partner have served in their capacity since the Company's formation in 1983.

        Name                Age                      Position
- --------------------        ---         -------------------------------------
H. H. Wommack, III          40          Chairman of the Board, President,
                                        Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer
                                        and Director

H. Allen Corey              40          Secretary and Director

Bill E. Coggin              41          Vice President and Chief Financial
                                        Officer

Richard E. Masterson        43          Vice President, Exploration and
                                        Acquisitions

Jon P. Tate                 38          Vice President, Land and Assistant
                                        Secretary

Russell K. Hall             39          Vice President, Acquisitions and
                                        Exploitation Manager

R. Douglas Keathley         40          Vice President, Operations

          H. H. Wommack, III, is Chairman of the Board, President, Chief
Executive Officer, Treasurer, principal stockholder and a director of the
Managing General Partner, and has served as its President since the Company's
organization in August, 1983.  Prior to the formation of the Company, Mr.
Wommack was a self-employed independent oil producer engaged in the purchase
and sale of royalty and working interests in oil and gas leases, and the
drilling of exploratory and developmental oil and gas wells.  Mr. Wommack
holds a J.D. degree from the University of Texas from which he graduated in
1980, and a B.A. from the University of North Carolina in 1977.

          H. Allen Corey, Secretary and a director of the Managing General
Partner, has served as its Secretary since its inception.  Mr. Corey is an
attorney and is engaged in the private practice of law with the firm of
Miller & Martin, Chattanooga, Tennessee, of which he is a partner, since
1981; except for a period of five months in which Mr. Corey served as
President of Southwest Associated Securities, Inc., formerly a subsidiary of
Southwest Royalties, Inc.  Mr. Corey received his J.D. degree from Vanderbilt
University Law School and a B.A. from the University of North Carolina.


          Bill E. Coggin, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has
been with the Managing General Partner since 1985.  Mr. Coggin was Controller
for Rod Ric Corporation of Midland, Texas, an oil and gas drilling company,
during the latter part of 1984.  He was Controller for C.F. Lawrence &
Associates, Inc., an independent oil and gas operator also of Midland, Texas
during the early part of 1984.  Mr. Coggin taught public school for four
years prior to his business experience.  Mr. Coggin received a  B.S. in
Education and a B.B.A. in Accounting from Angelo State University.

          Richard E. Masterson, Vice President, Exploration and Acquisitions,
first became associated with the Managing General Partner as a geological
consultant in 1985.  He was employed as a petroleum geologist by Grand Banks
Energy (1980-1985),  Monsanto (1977-1980) and Texaco, Inc. (1974-1976) prior
to joining the Managing General Partner.  Mr. Masterson is a member of the
Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists and the West Texas
Geological Society.  Mr. Masterson received his B.A. degree in Geology from
Trinity University.

          Jon P. Tate, Vice President, Land and Assistant Secretary, assumed
his responsibilities with the Managing General Partner in 1989.  Prior to
joining the Managing General Partner, Mr. Tate was employed by C.F. Lawrence
& Associates, Inc., an independent oil and gas company, as Land Manager from
1981 through 1989.  Mr. Tate is a member of the Permian Basin Landman's
Association and received his B.B.S. degree from Hardin-Simmons University.

          Russell K. Hall, Vice President, Acquisitions and Exploitation
Manager, assumed his responsibilities with the Managing General Partner on
May 1, 1995.  Prior to joining the Managing General Partner, Mr. Hall was
employed by NationsBank of Texas, N.A. as a petroleum engineer and vice
president, specializing in the Permian Basin (1981-1995) and for Amoco
Production Company as a reservoir engineer (1979-1981).  Mr. Hall received
his B.S. in mechanical engineering in 1978 from the University of Oklahoma.

          R. Douglas Keathley, Vice President, Operations, assumed his
responsibilities with the Managing General Partner as a Production Engineer
in October, 1992.  Prior to joining the Managing General Partner, Mr.
Keathley was employed for four (4) years by ARCO Oil & Gas Company as senior
drilling engineer working in all phases of well production (1988-1992), eight
(8) years by Reading & Bates Petroleum Company as senior petroleum engineer
responsible for drilling (1980-1988) and two (2) years by Tenneco Oil Company
as drilling engineer responsible for all phases of drilling (1978-1980).  Mr.
Keathley received his B.S. in Petroleum Engineering in 1977 from the
University of Oklahoma.

Key Employees

          Accounting and Administrative Officer - Debbie A. Brock, age 43,
assumed her position with the Managing General Partner in 1991.  Prior to
joining the Managing General Partner, Ms. Brock was employed with Western
Container Corporation as Accounting Manager (1982-1990), Synthetic Industries
(Texas), Inc. as Accounting Manager (1976-1982) and held various accounting
positions in the manufacturing industry (1971-1975).  Ms. Brock received a
B.B.A. from the University of Houston.


          Controller - Robert A. Langford, age 46, assumed his
responsibilities with the Managing General Partner in 1992.  Mr. Langford
received his B.B.A. degree in Accounting in 1975 from the University of
Central Arkansas.  Prior to joining the Managing General Partner,  Mr.
Langford was employed with Forest Oil Corporation as Corporate Coordinator,
Regional Coordinator, Accounting Manager.  He held various other positions
from 1982-1992 and 1976-1980 and was Assistant Controller of National Oil
Company from 1980-1982.

          Financial Reporting Manager - Bryan Dixon, C.P.A., age 29, assumed
his responsibilities with the Managing General Partner in 1992.  Mr. Dixon
received his B.B.A. degree in Accounting in 1988 from Texas Tech University
in Lubbock, Texas.  Prior to joining the Managing General Partner, Mr. Dixon
was employed as a Senior Auditor with Johnson, Miller & Company from 1991-
1992 and Audit Supervisor for Texas Tech University and the Texas Tech
University Health Sciences Center from 1988-1991.

          Production Superintendent - Steve C. Garner, age 54, assumed his
responsibilities with the Managing General Partner as Production
Superintendent in July, 1989.  Prior to joining the Managing General Partner,
Mr. Garner was employed 16 years by Shell Oil Company working in all phases
of oil field production as operations foreman, one and one-half years with
Petroleum Corporation of Delaware as Production Superintendent, six years as
an independent engineering consultant, and one year with Citation Oil & Gas
Corp. as a workover, completion and production foreman.  Mr. Garner has
worked extensively in the Permian Basin oil field for the last 25 years.

          Tax Manager - Carolyn Cookson, age 39, assumed her position with
the Managing General Partner in April, 1989.  Prior to joining the Managing
General Partner, Ms. Cookson was employed as Director of Taxes at C.F.
Lawrence & Associates, Inc. from 1983 to 1989, and worked in public
accounting at McCleskey, Cook & Green, P.C. from 1981 to 1983 and Deanna
Brady, C.P.A. from 1980 to 1981.  She is a member of the Permian Basin
Chapter of the Petroleum Accountants' Society, and serves on its Board of
Directors and is liaison to the Tax Committee.  Ms. Cookson received a B.B.A.
in accounting from New Mexico State University.

          Vice President, Marketing - Steve J. Person, age 37, joined the
Managing General Partner in 1989. Prior to joining the Managing General
Partner, Mr. Person served as Vice President of Marketing for CRI, Inc., and
was associated with Capital Financial Group and Dean Witter (1983).  He
received a B.B.A. from Baylor University in 1982 and an M.D.A. from Houston
Baptist University in 1987.

          Investor Relations Manager - Sandra K. Flournoy, age 49, came to
Southwest Royalties, Inc. in 1988 from Parker & Parsley Petroleum, where she
was Assistant Manager of Investor Services and Broker/Dealer Relations for
two years.  Prior to that, Ms. Flournoy was Administrative Assistant to the
Superintendent at Greenwood ISD for four years.


          In certain instances, the Managing General Partner will engage
professional petroleum consultants and other independent contractors,
including engineers and geologists in connection with property acquisitions,
geological and geophysical analysis, and reservoir engineering.  The Managing
General Partner believes that, in addition to its own "in-house" staff, the
utilization of such consultants and independent contractors in specific
instances and on an "as-needed" basis allows for greater flexibility and
greater opportunity to perform its oil and gas activities more economically
and effectively.

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

          The Partnership does not have any directors or executive officers. 
The executive officers of the Managing General Partner do not receive any
cash compensation, bonuses, deferred compensation or compensation pursuant to
any type of plan, from the Partnership.  The Managing General Partner
received $98,400 during 1995, 1994 and 1993 as an annual administrative fee.

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

          There are no limited partners who own of record, or are known by
the Managing General Partner to beneficially own, more than five percent of
the Partnership's limited partnership interests.

          The Managing General Partner owns a nine percent interest in the
Partnership as a general partner.  Through repurchase offers to the limited
partners, the Managing General Partner also owns 583 limited partner units,
a 4.3% limited partner interest.  The Managing General Partner total
percentage interest ownership in the Partnership is 12.9%.

          No officer or director of the Managing General Partner owns Units
in the Partnership.  H. H. Wommack, III, as the individual general partner of
the Partnership, owns a one percent interest in the Partnership as a general
partner.  The officers and directors of the Managing General Partner are
considered beneficial owners of the limited partner units acquired by the
Managing General Partner by virtue of their status as such.  A list of
beneficial owners of limited partner units, acquired by the Managing General
Partner, is as follows:


                                                    Amount and
                                                    Nature of      Percent
                         Name and Address of        Beneficial       of
  Title of Class          Beneficial Owner          Ownership       Class
- -------------------  ---------------------------  ---------------  -------
Limited Partnership  Southwest Royalties, Inc.    Directly Owns     4.3%
 Interest            Managing General Partner     583 Units
                     407 N. Big Spring Street
                     Midland, TX  79701

Limited Partnership  H. H. Wommack, III           Indirectly Owns   4.3%
 Interest            Chairman of the Board,       583 Units
                     President, CEO, Treasurer
                     and Director of Southwest
                     Royalties, Inc., the
                     Managing General Partner
                     407 N. Big Spring Street
                     Midland, TX  79701

Limited Partnership  H. Allen Corey               Indirectly Owns   4.3%
 Interest            Secretary and Director of    583 Units
                     Southwest Royalties, Inc.,
                     the Managing General
                     Partner
                     1000 Volunteer Bldg.
                     Chattanooga, TN  37402-2289

Limited Partnership  Bill E. Coggin               Indirectly Owns   4.3%
 Interest            Vice President and CFO of    583 Units
                     Southwest Royalties, Inc.,
                     the Managing General
                     Partner
                     407 N. Big Spring Street
                     Midland, TX  79701

Limited Partnership  Richard E. Masterson         Indirectly Owns   4.3%
 Interest            Vice President, Exploration  583 Units
                     and Acquisitions of
                     Southwest Royalties, Inc.,
                     the Managing General
                     Partner
                     407 N. Big Spring Street
                     Midland, TX  79701

Limited Partnership  Jon P. Tate                  Indirectly Owns   4.3%
 Interest            Vice President, Land and     583 Units
                     Assistant Secretary of
                     Southwest Royalties, Inc.,
                     the Managing General
                     Partner
                     407 N. Big Spring Street
                     Midland, TX  79701


                                                    Amount and
                                                    Nature of      Percent
                         Name and Address of        Beneficial       of
  Title of Class          Beneficial Owner          Ownership       Class
- -------------------  ---------------------------  ---------------  -------
Limited Partnership  Russell K. Hall              Indirectly Owns  4.3%
 Interest            Vice President,              583 Units
                     Acquisitions and
                     Exploitation Manager of
                     Southwest Royalties, Inc.,
                     the Managing General
                     Partner
                     407 N. Big Spring Street
                     Midland, TX  79701

Limited Partnership  R. Douglas Keathley          Indirectly Owns  4.3%
 Interest            Vice President,              583 Units
                     Operations of Southwest
                     Royalties, Inc., the
                     Managing General
                     Partner
                     407 N. Big Spring Street
                     Midland, TX  79701

          There are no arrangements known to the Managing General Partner
which may at a subsequent date result in a change of control of the
Partnership.

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

          In 1995, the Managing General Partner received $98,400 as an
administrative fee.  This amount is part of the general and administrative
expenses incurred by the Partnership.  

          In some instances the Managing General Partner and certain officers
and employees may be working interest owners in an oil and gas property in
which the Partnership also has a working interest.  Certain properties in
which the Partnership has an interest are operated by the Managing General
Partner, who was paid approximately $130,000 for administrative overhead
attributable to operating such properties during 1995.

          Certain subsidiaries of the Managing General Partner perform
various oilfield services for properties in which the Partnership owns an
interest.  Such services aggregated approximately $26,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1995.

          In the opinion of management, the terms of the above transaction
are similar to ones with unaffiliated third parties.


                                  Part IV


Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

          (a)(1)  Financial Statements:

                  Included in Part II of this report --

                  Report of Independent Accountants
                  Balance Sheets
                  Statements of Operations
                  Statement of Changes in Partners' Equity
                  Statements of Cash Flows
                  Notes to Financial Statements

          (a)(2)  Schedules I through XIII are omitted because they are not
                  applicable, or because the required information is shown in
                  the financial statements or the notes thereto.

          (a)(3)  Exhibits:

                  Exhibit 4(a):  Certificate of Limited Partnership of
                                 Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A,
                                 L.P., dated November 30, 1987. (Incor-
                                 porated by reference from Partnership's S-1
                                 Registration Statement File Number 33-18847
                                 effective March 31, 1988.)

                  Exhibit 4(b):  Agreement of Limited Partnership of
                                 Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A,
                                 L.P. dated July 6, 1988.  (Incorporated by
                                 reference from Partnership's Form 10-K for
                                 the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988.)

          (b)     No report on Form 8-K was filed during the last quarter of
                  the period covered by this report.


                                Signatures


          Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Partnership has duly caused this report
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                          Southwest Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P., a
                          Delaware limited partnership


                          By:    Southwest Royalties, Inc., Managing
                                 General Partner


                          By:    /s/ H. H. Wommack, III
                                 -----------------------------
                                 H. H. Wommack, III, President


                          Date:  March 26, 1996


          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of
the Partnership and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


By:    /s/ H. H. Wommack, III
       -----------------------------------
       H. H. Wommack, III, Chairman of the
       Board, President, Chief Executive
       Officer, Treasurer and Director


Date:  March 26, 1996


By:    /s/ H. Allen Corey
       -----------------------------
       H. Allen Corey, Secretary and
       Director


Date:  March 26, 1996