<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements of Unit Corporation and Subsidiaries
under cover of Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000798949
<NAME> UNIT CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                           2,880
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,901<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0<F2>
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                20,633
<PP&E>                                         299,785
<DEPRECIATION>                                 180,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 140,709
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           14,651
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         4,837
<OTHER-SE>                                      77,746
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   140,709
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                24,322
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   16,326
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,117
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 660
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,219
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,345
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,874
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,874
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .16
<FN>
<F1>Accounts Receivable is presented net in the Consolidated Condensed Balance
    Sheet.
<F2>Inventory is presented as a portion of Other Current Assets in the
    Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet.
</FN>