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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
         31, 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: March 10, 2004

/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.