<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 nine months ended September 30, 1999 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-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                           1,863
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,325<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0<F2>
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                20,168
<PP&E>                                         467,414
<DEPRECIATION>                                 223,521
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 270,385
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           19,049
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         6,749
<OTHER-SE>                                     162,347
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   270,385
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                61,789
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   56,439
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,654
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,801
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (2,105)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (647)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,458)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,458)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (.06)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.06)
<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>