SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549



                                   FORM 8-K



                                CURRENT REPORT


                      Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                      the Securities Exchange Act of 1934



Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)     May 3, 2000
                                                --------------------------------

                            VINTAGE PETROLEUM, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


    Delaware                    1-10578                    73-1182669
- ------------------          ----------------            ------------------------
 (State or other            (Commission File              (IRS Employer
 jurisdiction of                Number)                  Identification No.)
 incorporation)


110 West Seventh Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma                    74119
- ----------------------------------------                ------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                  (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code      (918) 592-0101
                                                   -----------------------------


                                Not Applicable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


Item 5.  Other Events.
         ------------

         A copy of the Registrant's press release dated May 3, 2000, is attached
         as an exhibit hereto and incorporated herein by reference.


Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.
         ---------------------------------

         (c)  Exhibits.

              99  Press release dated May 3, 2000, issued by the Registrant.



                                  SIGNATURES
                                  ----------

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                VINTAGE PETROLEUM, INC.



Date:   May 4, 2000             By:  /s/  Michael F. Meimerstorf
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                   Michael F. Meimerstorf
                                   Vice President and Controller

                                      -2-


                                 Exhibit Index



Exhibit
Number                          Description
- ------      ---------------------------------------------------------

99          Press release dated May 3, 2000, issued by the Registrant.