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                       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 earliest event reported: November 12, 1996


                            PARKER DRILLING COMPANY
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             (Exact name or registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware                              1-7573                     73-0618660
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(State of other jurisdiction    Commission File Number         (IRS Employer
of incorporation)                                           Identification No.)

Eight East Third Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma               74103
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 (Address of principal executive offices)            (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, include area code: (918) 585-8221
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Item 2:     Acquisition or Disposition of Assets
        
            On November 12, 1996, Parker Drilling Company ("Parker") announced
            that it had completed the previously announced acquisitions of
            Mallard Bay Drilling, Inc. and Quail Tools, Inc. The acquisitions
            were financed with the proceeds of Parker's sale of $300 million in
            9 3/4% Senior Notes due 2006 and a $100 million bank term loan. In
            addition, Parker issued shares of a newly designated series of
            convertible preferred stock with a value of $25 million to Mallard's
            former owner. Such shares will be automatically converted into
            shares of Parker's common stock if the Parker stockholders vote to
            approve an increase in Parker's authorized shares at the annual
            meeting in December. A copy of the press release announcing the
            closing of the acquisitions is annexed hereto as Exhibit 99 and
            incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7:     Financial Statements, Pro-Forma Financial Incorporation and Exhibits

            (a)   Financial Statements - The required historical financial
                  statements for the acquired businesses are not included
                  herewith because it was impracticable to provide such
                  financial statements as of the date this Report was filed with
                  the Commission. Parker will provide such information in a Form
                  8-K/A as soon as practicable but in any event no later than 60
                  days after the date this Report was required to be filed with
                  the Commission.

            (b)   Pro-Forma Financial Statements - The required pro forma
                  financial information is not included herewith because it was
                  impracticable to provide such information as of the date this
                  Report was filed with the Commission. Parker will provide such
                  information in a Form 8-K/A as soon as practicable but in any
                  event no later than 60 days after the date this Report was
                  required to be filed with the Commission.

            (c)   Exhibits

                  2.1  Stock Purchase Agreement dated September 14, 1996
                       between Parker Drilling Company and Energy Ventures, Inc.
                       (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to Parker
                       Drilling Company's Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated
                       October 24, 1996).

                  2.2  Stock Purchase Agreement dated October 7, 1996 between
                       Parker Drilling Company, Quail Tools, Inc. and the
                       stockholders of Quail Tools, Inc. (incorporated by
                       reference to Exhibit 2 to Parker Drilling Company's
                       Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 7, 1996).

                 99.   Press Release dated November 12, 1996
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                                   SIGNATURE


     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.


                                     PARKER DRILLING COMPANY



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


Date: November 25, 1996
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                                 EXHIBIT INDEX


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

  2.1   Stock Purchase Agreement dated September 14, 1996
        between Parker Drilling Company and Energy Ventures, Inc.
        (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to Parker
        Drilling Company's Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated
        October 24, 1996).

  2.2   Stock Purchase Agreement dated October 7, 1996 between
        Parker Drilling Company, Quail Tools, Inc. and the
        stockholders of Quail Tools, Inc. (incorporated by
        reference to Exhibit 2 to Parker Drilling Company's
        Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 7, 1996).

 99     Press Release dated November 12, 1996