UNITED STATES

                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                      Washington, D.C. 20549


                            FORM 12b-25       SEC File Number
                                                  1-12396

                    NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING


For Period Ended:  March 31, 1998

(Check  one):    Form  10-K   Form 20-F   Form 11-K   X  Form 10-Q    
                 Form N-SAR


If the notification relates  to  a  portion  of  the  filing checked above,
identify the Item(s) to which the notification relates:

Not applicable

PART I - REGISTRANT INFORMATION

                         THE BEARD COMPANY
      (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                    Enterprise Plaza, Suite 320
                            5600 N. May
                  Oklahoma City, Oklahoma   73112
              (Address of principal executive office)


PART II - RULES 12b-25(b) AND (c)

If  the  subject report could not be filed without unreasonable  effort  or
expense and  the  registrant  seeks  relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the
following should be completed. (Check box if appropriate) X

     (a) The reasons described in reasonable  detail  in  Part  III of this
form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense.

     (b) The subject annual report will be filed on or before the fifteenth
calendar day following the prescribed due date; and

     (c) The  accountant's  statement  or  other  exhibit required by  Rule
12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.

PART III - NARRATIVE

State below in reasonable detail the reasons why the Form 10-K could not be
filed within the prescribed time period.

The  Company  formed  a  new  subsidiary  on February  9,  1998.   The  new
subsidiary acquired several properties during  that month.  The Company has
been  unable  to obtain the necessary detail to properly  account  for  the
acquisitions and  file a complete Form 10-Q by the original filing deadline
of May 15, 1998 without  undue  effort  or expense.  It is anticipated that
the Form 10-Q will be completed and filed  by  the  requested  extended due
date of May 20, 1998.

PART IV - OTHER INFORMATION

(1)  Name  and  telephone  number  of  person to contact in regard to  this
notification

     Herb Mee, Jr.                  405           842-2333
    President - Chief        (Area code)     (Telephone Number)
    Financial Officer
           (Name)

(2) Have all other periodic reports required  under  Section 13 or 15(d) or
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 been filed?  If answer  is no, identify
report(s).    X  Yes    No

(3) Is it anticipated that any significant change in results  of operations
from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by
the  earnings  statements  to be included in the subject report or  portion
thereof?     Yes   X  No

If so, attach an explanation  of  the  anticipated change, both narratively
and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable
estimate of the results cannot be made.  See below explanation.



                            SIGNATURES

THE BEARD COMPANY has caused this report  to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                         By:     HERB MEE, JR.
                                  Herb Mee, Jr.
                                 President - Chief Financial
                                  Officer

Date:  May 15, 1998