EXHIBIT 32.1



                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350


Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, the undersigned officer of Parker Drilling
Company (the "Company") hereby certifies, to such officer's knowledge, that:

      1.    The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
            September 30, 2003 (the "Report") fully complies with the
            requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the
            Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

      2.    The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
            material respects, the financial condition and result of operations
            of the Company.


Dated:  November 13, 2003


/s/ Robert L. Parker Jr.
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Robert L. Parker Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer


The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate
disclosure statement.