1
 
   
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2
    
 
   
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
    
 
   
     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our
report included in this Registration Statement and to the incorporation by
reference in this Registration Statement of our report dated May 16, 1996,
included in the Patterson Energy, Inc., Current Report on Form 8-KA (Amendment
No. 2) dated July 30, 1996, and to all references to our firm included in this
Registration Statement.
    
 
                                          /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
   
San Antonio, Texas
January 3, 1997