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                                                                    EXHIBIT 15.1


May 2, 2001



Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549

Commissioners:

We are aware that our report dated April 19, 2001 on our review of interim
financial information of Patterson Energy, Inc. and its Subsidiaries (the
"Company") for the period ended March 31, 2001 and included in the Company's
quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter then ended is incorporated by
reference in its Registration Statements on Forms S-8 (File Nos. 333-47917,
33-97972, 33-39471 and 33-35399) and Forms S-3, as amended (File Nos. 333-43739,
333-89885 and 333-39537).

Yours very truly,

/s/  PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP