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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to
the use of our report dated February 28, 1997 (except for Note 13, as to which
the date is September 5, 1997), in the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No.
333-       ) and related Prospectus of UTI Energy Corp. for the Registration of
7,393,842 shares of common stock.
 
     We also consent to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports
(a) dated September 27, 1996, with respect to the financial statements of
Viersen & Cochran Drilling Company included in the UTI Energy Corp. Current
Report on Form 8-K dated August 28, 1996, as amended by the Form 8-K/A dated
October 28, 1996, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and (b)
dated June 18, 1997, with respect to our audit of the historical statement of
net assets acquired of Southland Drilling Company, Ltd. as of April 11, 1997,
and the historical statement of revenues and direct and indirect operating
expenses (excluding depreciation) of Southland Drilling Company, Ltd. for the
years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, included in the UTI Energy Corp. Current
Report on Form 8-K dated April 11, 1997, as amended by the Form 8-K/A dated June
27, 1997, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
                                          /S/  ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Houston, Texas
September 15, 1997