<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements of Unit Corporation and Subsidiaries
under the cover of Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 1999 and is
qualidied 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-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                             423
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,675<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0<F2>
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                18,847
<PP&E>                                         409,450
<DEPRECIATION>                                 213,425
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 221,173
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           17,984
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,147
<OTHER-SE>                                     105,674
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   221,173
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                19,697
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   19,210
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,252
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,211
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,976)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (702)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,274)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,274)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.05)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.05)
<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>