<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 nine months ended September 30, 1998 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000798949
<NAME> UNIT CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                           1,743
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   14,409<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0<F2>
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                22,896
<PP&E>                                         403,635
<DEPRECIATION>                                 207,916
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 225,049
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           21,946
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,113
<OTHER-SE>                                     106,613
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   225,049
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                73,930
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   62,271
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,711
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,596
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,352
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,738
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,614
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,614
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .10
<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>