<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF UNIT CORPORATION AND
SUBSIDIARIES UNDER COVER OF FORM 10-Q FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                           6,339
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   49,460<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                       328
<INVENTORY>                                      1,361
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                57,092
<PP&E>                                         134,694
<DEPRECIATION>                                  13,598
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 187,166
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           59,230
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            66
<OTHER-SE>                                      43,076
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   187,166
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               145,694
<CGS>                                          133,853
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  147,519
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 8,269
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,229
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,215
<INCOME-TAX>                                       864
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,351
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,351
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .21
<FN>
<F1>ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE IS PRESENTED NET IN THE CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE
SHEET.
</FN>