<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 six months ended June 30, 1997 and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000798949
<NAME> UNIT CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                             690
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,381<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0<F2>
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                18,663
<PP&E>                                         307,606
<DEPRECIATION>                                 183,901
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 142,653
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           13,999
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         4,838
<OTHER-SE>                                      79,183
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   142,653
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                44,128
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   31,988
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,318
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,304
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,518
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,212
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,306
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,306
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .22
<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>