EXHIBIT 23.1

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
                                        
    As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 relating to the stock
incentive plans of The Wiser Oil Company (Nos. 33-44171, 33-62441, 33-44172, 
333-22525 and 333-15083) of our report dated February 18, 1998 appearing on 
page F-2 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Arthur Andersen LLP

Dallas, Texas,
February 18, 1998