STERLING DRILLING FUND 1983-1
10-Q, 1997-11-12
DRILLING OIL & GAS WELLS
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                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                          Washington, D.C. 20549
                                     
                                 FORM 10-Q


/X     /Quarterly  Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 1997

                                    or
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934

For the Transition Period Ended _____________________________

                         Commission File Number 2-84452


                       STERLING DRILLING FUND 1983-1
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)


                                 New York
      (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
                                     
                                13-3167549
                   (IRS employer identification  number)


              1 Landmark Square, Stamford, Connecticut 06901
           (Address and Zip Code of principal executive offices)

                              (203) 358-5700
           (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                              Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
                                  report)

Indicate  by  check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed  all  reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject  to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes/X/ No / /

<PAGE>

Item 1.   Financial Statements

The following Financial Statements are filed herewith:

Balance Sheets - September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996.

Statements of Operations for the Nine and Three Months  Ended  September 30,
1997 and 1996.

Statements of Changes in Partners' Equity for the Nine and Three Months Ended
September 30, 1997 and 1996.

Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30,1997 and 1996.

Note to Financial Statements


Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations

Liquidity -

The oil and gas industry is intensely competitive in all its phases.  There
is also competition between this industry and other industries in supplying
energy  and fuel requirements of industrial and residential consumers.   It
is  not  possible  for  the Registrant to calculate  its  position  in  the
industry   as   Registrant  competes  with  many  other  companies   having
substantially  greater financial and other resources.  In  accordance  with
the  terms  of  the  Prospectus  as filed by the  Registrant,  the  General
Partners of the Registrant will make cash distributions of as much  of  the
Partnership  cash credited to the capital accounts of the Partners  as  the
General  Partners  have determined is not necessary or  desirable  for  the
payment of contingent debts, liabilities or expenses for the conduct of the
Partnership's business. As of September 30, 1997, the General Partners have
distributed  $2,298,477  or  20.75%  of original  Limited  Partner  capital
contributions to the Limited Partners.

The net proved oil and gas reserves of the Partnership are considered to be
an indicator of financial strength and future liquidity.  The present value
of  unescalated  future  net  revenue (S.E.C. case)  associated  with  such
reserves,  discounted  at  10% as of December 31,  1996  was  approximately
$1,378,600 as compared to  the discounted reserves as of December 31,  1995
which  were  approximately  $891,700.  The  increase   in  total  estimated
discounted future net revenue was due in part to higher year end gas prices
as of December 31, 1996 when compared to a lower gas price  in effect as of
December  31,  1995.  Reservoir engineering  is  a  subjective  process  of
estimating  underground  accumulations of gas  and  oil  that  can  not  be
measured  in  an exact manner.  The accuracy of any reserve estimate  is  a
function  of  the  quality of available data and  of  the  engineering  and
geological interpretation and judgment.  Accordingly, reserve estimates are
generally  different from the quantities of gas and oil that are ultimately
recovered  and  such  differences  may  have  a  material  impact  on   the
Partnership's financial results and future liquidity.

<PAGE>

2.    Capital Resources -

The  Registrant was formed for the sole intention of drilling oil  and  gas
wells.  The Registrant entered into a drilling contract with an independent
contractor  in  November 1983 for $9,400,000.  Pursuant to  terms  of  this
contract  thirty-eight  wells have been drilled resulting  in  thirty-seven
producing wells and one dry hole.

3.      Results of Operations -

Overall operating revenues increased from $210,455 in 1996 to $282,836 in
1997.  The Partnership experienced declines in both gas and oil production,
from  86,601 MCF and 1,274 BBLS in 1996 to 85,731 MCF and 921 BBLS in 1997.
This decline was offset by increases in  the average price of $0.68 per MCF
and of $1.54 per average barrel of oil. A few of  the Partnership's wells
experienced a  minor shut in. The main line these wells feed to was shut in
by the gathering system operator in order to complete necessary repairs and
maintenance.  This shut-in  partially contributed to lower overall
production. Production  expenses increased from $104,259 in 1996 to
$127,301 in 1997. The increase can partially be associated with additional
costs  associated with  location, road repairs and line outages due to
weather related conditions. Some additional periodic general maintenance at
the well and well-site may be needed to maintain, halt declines or improve
production levels.

General and administrative expenses have been segregated on the financial
statements to reflect expenses paid to PrimeEnergy Management Corporation,
a general partner.  These expenses are charged in accordance with
guidelines set forth in the Registrant's Management Agreement and are
attributable to the affairs and operations of the Partnership and shall not
exceed an annual amount equal to 5% of the limited partners capital
contributions. Amounts related to both 1997 and 1996 are substantially less
than the amounts allocable to the Registrant under the Partnership
Agreement.  The lower amounts reflect management's efforts to limit costs,
both incurred and allocated to the Registrant. Third-party general and
administrative expenses remained unchanged although management will
continue to use in house resources if it will be more efficient to do so.

The Partnership records additional depreciation, depletion and amortization
to the extent that net capitalized costs exceed the undiscounted future net
cash flows attributable to the partnership properties. No additional
depreciation, depletion or amortization was needed in  1996 or in the three
quarters of 1997. Although the 1997 expense is lower than 1996, the expense
recorded is consistent with the current basis of the Partnership's
properties.


<PAGE>

                                  PART II

Items 1 through 5 have been omitted in that each item is either
inapplicable or the answer is negative.

Item 6: Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
The Partnership was not required to file any reports on Form 8-K and
no such form was filed during the period covered by this report.

Exhibit 27 - Financial Data Schedule is attached to the electronic
filing of this report.
                                     

<PAGE>

                            S I G N A T U R E S

                                     

Pursuant  to  the  requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of  the  Securities

Exchange  Act of 1934, Registrant has duly caused this report to be  signed

on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.







                             STERLING DRILLING FUND 1983-1
                                      (Registrant)





November  12, 1997            BY: /s/ Charles E. Drimal Jr.
(Date)                        -----------------------------
                              Charles E. Drimal, Jr.,
                              General Partner


<PAGE>
                       STERLING DRILLING FUND 1983-1
                     (a New York Limited Partnership)
                              Balance Sheets
                                     
                                     September 30,      December
                                         1997           31, 1996
                                      (unaudited)       (audited)
Assets                                                            
Current assets:                                                   
  Cash and cash equivalents        $       135,627  $      141,617
  Due from others                           26,399           9,595
                                       -----------     -----------
      Total current assets                 162,026         151,212
                                       -----------     -----------
Oil and gas properties -                                          
successful efforts method:                                        
  Leasehold costs                          321,314         321,314
  Well and related facilities            9,150,999       9,145,511
   less accumulated                                               
   depreciation, depletion and                                    
    amortization                        (7,945,904)     (7,888,531)
                                       -----------     -----------
                                         1,526,409       1,578,294
                                       -----------     -----------
       Total assets                $     1,688,435  $    1,729,506
                                       ===========     ===========
                                                                  
 Partners' equity                                                 
   Limited partners                      1,635,629       1,675,879
   General partners                         52,806          53,627
                                        ----------     -----------
                                                  
         Total partners' equity    $     1,688,435  $    1,729,506
                                       ===========     ===========
                                                                  
                                                                  
                                                                  
                                     
                                     
See accompanying note to the financial statements.

<PAGE>
                                     
                       STERLING DRILLING FUND 1983-1
                     (a New York Limited Partnership)
                          Statement of Operations
                                (unaudited)
                                     
                                   Nine Months Ended
                                   September 30, 1997

                               Limited      General      
                               Partners     Partners     Total
Revenue:                                                 
Operating revenue           $    216,370 $    66,466  $    282,836
Interest income                    4,914         457         5,371
Gain on sale of equipment            686          64           750
                                --------    --------       -------
  Total Revenue                  221,970      66,987       288,957
                                --------    --------       -------
                                                                  
Costs and Expenses:                                               
Production expense                97,385      29,916       127,301
General and administrative                                        
 to a related party               57,373      17,624        74,997
General and administrative        13,427       4,125        17,552
Depreciation, depletion                                           
 and amortization                 52,496       4,877        57,373
                                --------    --------       -------
  Total Costs and Expenses       220,681      56,542       277,223
                                --------    --------       -------
  Net Income                $      1,289 $    10,445  $     11,734
                                ========    ========       =======
Net Income per equity unit  $        .12                          
                                  ======                          



See accompanying note to the financial statements.

<PAGE>
                       STERLING DRILLING FUND 1983-1
                     (a New York Limited Partnership)
                          Statement of Operations
                                (unaudited)
                                     
                                   Nine Months Ended
                                   September 30, 1996

                               Limited      General      
                               Partners     Partners     Total
Revenue:                                                 
Operating revenue           $    160,998 $    49,457  $    210,455
Interest income                    4,282         398         4,680
                                --------    --------       -------
  Total Revenue                  165,280      49,855       215,135
                                --------    --------       -------
                                                                  
Costs and Expenses:                                               
Production expense                79,758      24,501       104,259
General and administrative        43,031      13,219        56,250
 to a related party
General and administrative        13,220       4,061        17,281
Depreciation, depletion                                           
 and amortization                 56,737       5,271        62,008
                                --------    --------       -------
  Total Costs and Expenses       192,746      47,052       239,798
                                --------    --------       -------
  Net Income(loss)          $    (27,466) $    2,803   $   (24,663)
                                ========    ========       =======
Net Income(loss)                                                  
    per equity unit         $      (2.48)
                                  ======                          



See accompanying note to the financial statements.


<PAGE>
                                     
                       STERLING DRILLING FUND 1983-1
                     (a New York Limited Partnership)
                          Statement of Operations
                                (unaudited)
                                     
                                   Three Months Ended
                                   September 30, 1997

                               Limited      General     
                               Partners     Partners    Total
Revenue:                                                
Operating revenue           $    63,903  $    19,630  $      83,533
Interest income                   1,555          145          1,700
Gain on sale of equipment           686           64            750
                               --------     --------      ---------
  Total Revenue                  66,144       19,839         85,983
                               --------     --------      ---------
                                                                   
Costs and Expenses:                                                
Production expense               29,761        9,143         38,904
General and administrative                                         
 to a related party              19,125        5,874         24,999
General and administrative        3,106          954          4,060
Depreciation, depletion                                            
 and amortization                17,620        1,637         19,257
                               --------     --------      ---------
  Total Costs and Expenses       69,612       17,608         87,220
                               --------     --------      ---------
  Net Income(loss)          $    (3,468)  $    2,231   $     (1,227)
                               ========     ========      =========
Net Income(loss)                                                   
    per equity unit         $      (.31)                            
                               ========                            
                                     
                                     
See accompanying note to the financial statements.

                                     
<PAGE>
                       STERLING DRILLING FUND 1983-1
                     (a New York Limited Partnership)
                          Statement of Operations
                                (unaudited)
                                     
                                   Three Months Ended
                                   September 30, 1996

                               Limited      General     
                               Partners     Partners    Total
Revenue:                                                
Operating revenue           $    54,049  $    16,604  $      70,653
Interest income                   1,408          131          1,539
                               --------     --------      ---------
  Total Revenue                  55,457       16,735         72,192
                               --------     --------      ---------
                                                                   
Costs and Expenses:                                                
Production expense               28,178        8,656         36,834
General and administrative       14,343        4,407         18,750
 to a related party
General and administrative        3,294        1,012          4,306
Depreciation, depletion          18,913        1,757         20,670
 and amortization
                               --------     --------      ---------
  Total Costs and Expenses       64,728       15,832         80,560
                               --------     --------      ---------
  Net Income(loss)          $    (9,271)  $      903  $      (8,368)
                               ========     ========      =========
Net Income(loss)                                                   
    per equity unit         $      (.84)                            
                               ========                            
                                     
                                     
See accompanying note to the financial statements.

<PAGE>

                       STERLING DRILLING FUND 1983-1
                     (a New York Limited Partnership)
                 Statement of Changes in Partners' Equity
                                (unaudited)
                                     
                                   Nine Months Ended
                                   September 30, 1997


                               Limited     General                  
                               Partners    Partners            Total
                                                       
Balance at beginning of                                             
period                      $  1,675,879     53,627  $     1,729,506
  Partner's contributions              0        177              177
  Cash distributions             (41,539)   (11,443)         (52,982)
  Net income                       1,289     10,445           11,734
                               ---------   --------     ------------
Balance at end of period    $  1,635,629     52,806  $     1,688,435
                               =========   ========     ============
                                            
                                            
                                   Nine Months Ended
                                   September 30, 1996

                              Limited      General                  
                              Partners     Partners            Total
                                                       
Balance at beginning of                                             
period                      $  1,759,361     63,506  $     1,822,867
  Partner's contributions              0        177              177
  Cash distributions             (41,539)   (11,621)         (53,160)
  Net income(loss)               (27,466)     2,803          (24,663)
                               ---------   --------     ------------
Balance at end of period    $  1,690,356     54,865  $     1,745,221
                               =========   ========      ===========
                                     
See accompanying note to the financial statements.


                                     
                                     
<PAGE>
                       STERLING DRILLING FUND 1983-1
                     (a New York Limited Partnership)
                 Statement of Changes in Partners' Equity
                                (unaudited)
                                     
                                   Three Months Ended
                                   September 30, 1997


                               Limited      General                  
                               Partners     Partners            Total
                                                          
Balance at beginning of                                              
period                      $  1,639,097        50,398  $   1,689,495
  Partner's contributions              0           177            177
  Cash distributions                   0             0              0
  Net income(loss)                (3,468)        2,231         (1,237)
                               ---------      --------     ----------
Balance at end of period    $  1,635,629        52,806  $   1,688,435
                               =========      ========     ==========
                                            
                                            
                                   Three Months Ended
                                   September 30, 1996

                              Limited       General                   
                              Partners      Partners             Total
                                                           
Balance at beginning of                                               
period                      $   1,699,627        53,785 $    1,753,412
  Partner's contributions               0           177            177
  Cash distributions                    0             0              0
  Net income(loss)                 (9,271)          903         (8,368)
                                ---------      --------     ----------
Balance at end of period    $   1,690,356        54,865 $    1,745,221
                                =========      ========     ==========
                                     
See accompanying note to the financial statements.


<PAGE>
                                     
                       STERLING DRILLING FUND 1983-1
                     (a New York Limited Partnership)
                          Statement of Cash Flows
                                (unaudited)
                                     
                                          Nine months      Nine months
                                             ended            ended
                                           September        September
                                           30, 1997         30, 1996
                                                                      
Net cash provided by operating                                        
activities                             $        51,553   $     114,884
                                             ---------       ---------
Cash Flows from investing activities:                                 
Proceeds from sale of equipment                    750               0
  Investment in Wells and                                             
    related facilities                          (5,488)        (17,601)
                                             ---------       ---------
Net Cash used in investing activities           (4,738)        (17,601)
                                                                      
Cash flows from financing activities:                                 
  Distribution to partners                     (52,982)        (53,160)
  Partners contribution                            177             177
                                             ---------       ---------
Net cash used in financing activities          (52,805)        (52,983)
                                             ---------       ---------
                                                                      
Net increase(decrease) in cash and                                    
  cash equivalents                              (5,990)         44,300
Cash and cash equivalents at                                          
  beginning of period                          141,617          87,201
                                             ---------       ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of                                   
period                                 $       135,627   $     131,501
                                             =========       =========
                                                                      

See accompanying note to the financial statements.


<PAGE>
                  STERLING DRILLING FUND 1983-1
                (a New York limited partnership)
                                
                  Note to Financial Statements
                                
                       September 30, 1997
                                
                                
                                
1.   The accompanying statements for the period ending September

30, 1997, are unaudited but reflect all adjustments necessary to

present fairly the results of operations.



<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
Sterling Drilling Fund 1983-1 third quarter 1997 10 Q and it is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                         135,627
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   26,399
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               162,026
<PP&E>                                       9,472,313
<DEPRECIATION>                              (7,945,904)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,688,435
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,688,435<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,688,435
<SALES>                                        288,957<F2>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               288,957
<CGS>                                          277,223
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  277,223
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      0
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,734
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.12<F3>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>Other-se includes total partners' equity.
<F2>Sales includes:
1) $5,371 of interest income.
2) $750 of gain on sale of equipment.
<F3>The limited partner's income was divided by the total
number of limited partnership units of 11,077.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>


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