EXHIBIT 15.1


                INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS' AWARENESS LETTER




Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549

Dear Sirs:

We are aware that Diamond Shamrock, Inc. has included our report dated
November 13, 1996 (issued pursuant to the provisions of Statement on
Auditing Standards No. 71) in the Prospectuses constituting part of its
Registration Statements on Form S-3 (Nos.  33-67166, 33-59451, and
333-4157) filed on August 9, 1993, May 19, 1995, and May 20, 1996
respectively, and on Form S-8 (Nos. 33-15268, 33-34306, 33-47761, 33-50573,
33-59025 and 33-64645) filed on June 22, 1987, April 13, 1990, May 6, 1992,
October 6, 1993, May 2, 1995 and November 30, 1995, respectively.  We are
also aware that Ultramar Corporation has included our report referred to
above in the Prospectus constituting part of its Registration Statement on
Form S-4 (No. 333-14807) filed on October 29, 1996.  We are also aware of
our responsibilities under the Securities Act of 1933.

Yours very truly,


/s/ PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP



    PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP


San Antonio, Texas
November 13, 1996


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