SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549


                                       FORM 8-K


                                   CURRENT REPORT


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



                  Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

                                  November 5, 1997


                            SUPERIOR ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
                (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


       Delaware                       0-20310                   75-2379388
   (State or other jurisdiction   (Commission File        (I.R.S. Employer
         of incorporation)             Number)          Identification No.)


               1503 Engineers Road, Belle Chasse, Louisiana     70037
                    (Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)


      Registrant's  telephone  number, including area code:  (504) 393-7774


         
          Item 7.   Financial Statements and Exhibits.

               The exhibits set forth below  are  filed herewith and relate
          to  the  Registrant's  Registration  Statement   on   Form   S-3,
          Registration No. 333-39205.

          10.1 Amended  and  Restated Loan Agreement by and between Whitney
               National Bank and  Superior  Energy Services, Inc., dated as
               of November 5, 1997.

          10.2 First Amendment, dated as of November  20,  1997, to Amended
               and Restated Loan Agreement by and between Whitney  National
               Bank and Superior Energy Services, Inc.


                                        - 1 -
                                      
                                      SIGNATURES

               Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange  Act
          of  1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed
          on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                        SUPERIOR ENERGY SERVICES, INC.



                                        By:       /s/Robert S. Taylor
                                             Name:   Robert S. Taylor
                                             Title:  Chief Financial Officer

          Dated:    November 24, 1997.

                                        - 2 -

                           AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT
                                      BY AND BETWEEN
                                  WHITNEY NATIONAL BANK
                                           AND
                              SUPERIOR ENERGY SERVICES, INC.


               This  Amended  and Restated Loan Agreement (the "Agreement")
          is entered into on this 5th day of November, 1997, by and between
          Whitney National Bank ("Bank") and Superior Energy Services, Inc.
          ("Borrower") and constitutes  an amendment and restatement of the
          Loan Agreement by and between Bank and Borrower dated October 14,
          1997 (the "Existing Loan Agreement").

                                   I.  Definitions

              1.01   For all purposes of  this  Agreement, unless otherwise
          expressly provided or unless the context  otherwise requires, the
          following terms shall have the following meanings:

               "Acquisition" shall mean the purchase,  merger with or other
          acquisition by Borrower or any Subsidiary, after the date hereof,
          of (i) the stock or other equity interest (in  whole  or in part)
          in any entity, which, after such Acquisition will be a Subsidiary
          and will be primarily engaged in the Company Business or (ii) all
          or  substantially all of the assets of any entity which  will  be
          used in the Company Business.

               "Advance"  shall mean a disbursement of a Loan in accordance
               herewith.

               "Applicable  Margin"  shall  mean,  the rate of interest per
          annum shown in the applicable column below:


                                Level I     Level II   Level III  Level IV

  If Ratio of Consolidated       < 1.0       < 2.0       < 3.0     > 3.0
  Total Debt as of the end of                > 1.0       > 2.0
  the immediately preceding
  fiscal quarter to
  Consolidated EBITDA for the
  immediately preceding four
  (4) fiscal quarters is

  Applicable Margin              1.50%       1.75%       2.00%      2.25%


          The Applicable Margin shall commence at Level I and shall be
          adjusted on the first day of each March, June, September and
          December (or, if such day is not a Business Day, on the next
          succeeding Business Day), based on the ratio of Consolidated
          Total Debt as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal
          quarter to Consolidated EBITDA for the immediately preceding four
          (4) fiscal quarters.  If Borrower should fail to deliver in a
          timely manner a certificate required under Section 5.02(a)(vi)
          hereof, then, until Borrower shall have provided such
          certificate, it shall be presumed that the ratio of Consolidated
          Total Debt as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal
          quarter to Consolidated EBITDA for the immediately preceding four
          (4) fiscal quarters was greater than 3 (and, from the date of the
          delivery of such certificate, the Applicable Margin shall be
          determined by reference to such certificate).

               "Borrower's Agent" shall mean any one of Terence E. Hall or
          any other person subsequently authorized by a corporate
          resolution, duly authorized and adopted by the board of directors
          of Borrower in form acceptable to Bank.  Until Borrower notifies
          Bank in writing of the withdrawal of Borrower's Agent's rights
          and powers, Bank shall be able to rely conclusively upon
          Borrower's Agent's  right to borrow and incur Loans on behalf of
          Borrower.

               "Borrowing Base" shall mean, as of the date of determination
          thereof, an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $45,000,000.00 or
          (b) eighty-five (85%) percent of the base amounts owed on all
          Eligible Accounts as of such date plus fifty (50%) percent of all
          Eligible Inventory as of such date plus seventy (70%) percent of
          all Consolidated Property, Plant & Equipment as of such date.

               "Business Day" shall mean any day on which banks are
          required to be open to carry on normal business in the State of
          Louisiana.

               "Capital Expenditure" shall mean any expenditure which, as
          determined in accordance with GAAP, is required to be capitalized
          on the balance sheet of the Person making the same, but excluding
          (i) expenditures for the restoration or replacement of fixed
          assets to the extent funded out of the proceeds of an insurance
          policy and (ii) Acquisitions.

               "Capitalized Lease Obligations" shall mean, with respect to
          any Person, obligations of such Person with respect to leases
          which, in accordance with GAAP, are required to be capitalized on
          the financial statements of such Person.

               "Collateral" shall mean the property mortgaged or encumbered
               by the Loan Documents.

               "Company Business" shall mean the (i) sale, lease,
          distribution, repair and manufacture of oil and gas related
          equipment, parts and supplies, (ii) the providing of services
          relating to the exploration, development or production of oil and
          gas and (iii) any other activities ancillary to the foregoing.

               "Consolidated Current Ratio" shall mean, as of any date for
          which its is being determined, the ratio of (a) current assets of
          Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such date, as determined on a
          consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, to (b) current
          liabilities of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such date, as
          determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, but
          excluding the principal amount of the Loans outstanding as of
          such date.

               "Consolidated Debt Service Coverage Ratio" shall mean, as of
          any date for which it is being determined, the ratio of (a)
          Consolidated EBITDA for the immediately preceding four (4) fiscal
          quarters (including any fiscal quarter ending on such date) minus
          Capital Expenditures of Borrower or any Subsidiary during the
          immediately preceding four (4) fiscal quarters (including any
          fiscal quarter ending on such date) minus all provisions for any
          federal, state, local and/or foreign income taxes made by
          Borrower or any Subsidiary during the immediately preceding four
          (4) fiscal quarters (including any fiscal quarter ending on such
          date), to (b) Consolidated Interest Expense for the immediately
          preceding four (4) fiscal quarters (including any fiscal quarter
          ending on such date) plus Consolidated Scheduled Principal
          Payments for the immediately preceding four (4) fiscal quarters
          (including any fiscal quarter ending on such date) plus the
          principal portion of Capitalized Lease Obligations payable by
          Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of the immediately
          preceding four (4) fiscal quarters (including any fiscal quarter
          ending on such date).

               "Consolidated EBITDA" shall mean, for any period, the sum of
          the following: (a) Consolidated Net Income during such period
          plus (b) to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net
          Income, the sum of (i) Consolidated Interest Expense during such
          period, plus (ii) all provisions for any federal, state, local
          and/or foreign income taxes made by Borrower or any Subsidiary
          during such period (whether paid or deferred) plus (iii) all
          depreciation and amortization expenses and all other non-cash
          items of Borrower or any Subsidiary during such period, all
          determined on a consolidated basis as determined in accordance
          with GAAP plus (c) to the extent not already included in
          Consolidated Net Income, the sum of (i) the earnings before
          depreciation, amortization, interest expense, extraordinary items
          and taxes during such period of any Subsidiaries acquired during
          such period as determined in accordance with GAAP plus (ii) any
          additional amount requested by Borrower and approved by Bank that
          is appropriate to reflect any additional earnings during such
          period of any Subsidiaries acquired during such period that would
          have been recognized if they had been a Subsidiary for the entire
          period minus to the extent not already included in Consolidated
          Interest Expense, the estimated interest expense, in an amount
          approved by Bank, that Borrower or any Subsidiary would have
          incurred during such period had any Indebtedness that Borrower or
          any Subsidiary incurred in connection with the acquisition of any
          Subsidiaries during such period been in existence for the entire
          period.

               "Consolidated Interest Expense" shall mean, for the period
          in question, without duplication, all interest expense of
          Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation,
          capitalized interest expense, the interest portion of Capitalized
          Lease Obligations and the interest portion of any deferred
          payment obligation) during such period, all determined on a
          consolidated basis as determined in accordance with GAAP.

               "Consolidated Net Income" and "Consolidated Net Loss" shall
          mean, for the period in question, the after-tax net income or
          loss of Borrower and its Subsidiaries during such period,
          determined on a consolidated basis as determined in accordance
          with GAAP, but excluding in any event the following to the extent
          included in the computation of net income:

               (i) any net gain or net loss (net of expenses and taxes
          applicable thereto) for such period resulting from the sale,
          transfer or other disposition of fixed or capital assets (other
          than inventory and other property held for resale in the ordinary
          course of business) as determined by GAAP;

               (ii) any gains or losses resulting from any reappraisal,
          revaluation or write-up or write-down of assets;

               (iii) any equity of Borrower or any Subsidiary in the
          undistributed earnings of any corporation which is not a
          Subsidiary and is accounted for on the equity method as
          determined in accordance with GAAP;

               (iv) undistributed earnings of any Subsidiary to the extent
          that the declaration or payment of dividends or other
          distributions by such Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by
          the terms of its charter documents or any agreement, document,
          instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or
          governmental regulation applicable to such Subsidiary;

               (v) gains or losses from the acquisition or disposition of
          investments;

               (vi) gains from the retirement or extinguishment of any
          Debt;

               (vii) gains on collections from insurance policies or
          settlements (net of premiums paid or other expenses incurred with
          respect to such gains during the fiscal period in which the gain
          occurs, to the extent such premiums or other expenses are not
          already reflected in Consolidated Net Income for such fiscal
          period);

               (viii) any gains or losses during such period from any
          change in accounting principles, from any discontinued operations
          or the disposition thereof or from any prior period adjustments;
          and

               (ix) any extraordinary gains and/or losses;

          all determined in accordance with GAAP.  If the preceding
          calculation results in a number less than zero such amount shall
          be considered a Consolidated Net Loss.

               "Consolidated Net Worth" shall mean, at a particular date,
          all amounts which would be included under shareholders' equity on
          a consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as
          determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP
          (including, without limitation, capital stock, additional paid-
          in-capital and retained earnings) at such date.

               "Consolidated Property, Plant & Equipment" shall mean, as of
          the date of any determination thereof, to the extent not included
          in Eligible Inventory, all fixed assets of Borrower and its
          Subsidiaries  as of such date other than assets that are real
          property which are subject to a first security interest in favor
          of Bank, determined on a consolidated basis as determined in
          accordance with GAAP and valued at the greater of (i) net book
          value or (ii) upon the written request of Borrower, the fair
          market value of such assets as reflected on a current appraisals,
          obtained at Borrower's cost, directed and delivered to Bank by
          appraiser(s) acceptable to Bank.

               "Consolidated Scheduled Principal Payments" shall mean, for
          the period in question, without duplication, all scheduled
          principal payments of Borrower and its Subsidiaries on
          Indebtedness for the applicable period, all determined on a
          consolidated basis as determined in accordance with GAAP.

               "Consolidated Total Debt" shall mean, as of the date of any
          determination thereof, all Debt of Borrower and its Subsidiaries
          as of such date, determined on a consolidated basis as determined
          in accordance with GAAP at such date; provided that any loans of
          Borrower or any Subsidiary to stockholders of Borrower or any
          Subsidiary shall be excluded from Consolidated Total Debt to the
          extent that such loans are expressly subordinate to the Loans.

               "Consolidated Working Capital" shall mean, as of any date
          for which its is being determined, all current assets of Borrower
          and its Subsidiaries as of such date, as determined on a
          consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP minus all current
          liabilities of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such date, as
          determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, but
          excluding the principal amount of the Loans outstanding as of
          such date.

               "Continuing Guaranty" shall mean the unlimited continuing
          guarantee of all Secured Obligations executed now or at any time
          hereafter by each Subsidiary, in the form of Exhibit A attached
          hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

               "Debt" of any Person shall mean, as of the date of
          determination thereof, the sum of (a) all Indebtedness of such
          Person for borrowed money or which has been incurred to purchase
          property plus (b) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such
          Person.

               "Eligible Accounts" shall mean all accounts of Borrower and
          its Subsidiaries which are subject to a first security interest
          in favor of Bank that are acceptable and approved by Bank from
          time to time as accounts eligible to be used as a basis for an
          advance under the Line of Credit.  Without limiting Bank's
          discretion to deem an account unacceptable, the following shall
          be ineligible to be used as a basis for an Advance: (i) any
          account which has remained unpaid for more than ninety (90) days
          from the date of invoice, (ii) any account subject to a set off
          or disputed by the account debtor of the account, (iii) any
          account which Borrower or any Subsidiary has extended the time
          for payment without the consent of Bank, (iv) any account owed by
          an account debtor which does not maintain its chief executive
          office in the United States or which is not organized under the
          laws of the United States of America, unless secured by an
          acceptable letter of credit subject to a first security interest
          in favor of Bank, (v) any account which is owed by any parent,
          subsidiary, affiliate, related company or shareholder of Borrower
          or any Subsidiary, (vi) any account due from the United States of
          America or any agency thereof unless proper notices of assignment
          have been executed and delivered in accordance with the
          Assignment of Claims Act of 1940, as amended, 31 U.S.C. 3727, 41
          U.S.C. 15, and as may be required by Bank, (vii) any account in
          which Borrower or any Subsidiary owes or will owe any obligation
          to the account debtor of such account, (viii) any account arising
          from retainage(s) against billing(s) and (ix) any account due on
          consigned goods.

               "Eligible Inventory" shall mean all inventory of Borrower
          and its Subsidiaries which is subject to a first security
          interest in favor of Bank and is held for sale or lease to
          customers in the ordinary course of business and shall be valued
          at the lower of (i) the cost of each item consisting of inventory
          or (ii) its market value, less any Indebtedness outstanding that
          was incurred in connection with the purchase of such inventory.

               "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles
          at the time in the United States.

               "Indebtedness" shall mean, as to any Person, at a particular
          time, all items which constitute, without duplication, (i)
          indebtedness for borrowed money or the deferred purchase price of
          property (other than trade payables incurred in the ordinary
          course of business), (ii) indebtedness evidenced by notes, bonds,
          debentures or similar instruments, (iii) obligations with respect
          to any conditional sale or title retention agreement, (iv)
          indebtedness arising under acceptance facilities and the amount
          available to be drawn under all letters of credit issued for the
          account of such Person and, without duplication, all drafts drawn
          thereunder to the extent that such Person shall not have
          reimbursed the issuer in respect of the issuer's payment of such
          drafts, (v) all liabilities secured by any Lien on any property
          owned by such Person even though such Person has not assumed or
          otherwise become liable for the payment thereof (other than
          carrier's, warehousemen's, mechanics', repairmen's or other like
          non-consensual statutory Liens arising in the ordinary course of
          business), (vi) obligations under Capital Lease Obligations and
          (vii)  all guaranties, endorsements (other than for collection or
          deposit in the ordinary course of business), and other contingent
          obligations to purchase, to provide funds for payment, to supply
          funds against loss.

               "LIBOR Base Rate" shall mean the London interbank offered
          rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest
          1/100 of 1%) for deposits in U.S. dollars for a period equal to
          three months, which appears on the Telerate Page 3875 as of 9:00
          a.m. (New Orleans time) or, if such rate can not be so
          determined, the arithmetic average of the rates of interest per
          annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%)
          at which deposits in U.S. dollars in immediately available funds
          are offered to Bank as of the opening of business of Bank or as
          soon thereafter as practicable by two (2) or more major banks in
          the London interbank market selected by Bank for a period equal
          to three (3) months and in an amount equal or comparable to the
          principal amount of the Loans. The LIBOR Base Rate shall be
          adjusted quarterly on the first day of each March, June,
          September and  December (or, if such day is not a Business Day,
          on the next succeeding Business Day).

               "LIBOR Rate" shall mean the LIBOR Base Rate plus the
          Applicable Margin; provided that the LIBOR Rate shall never
          exceed the Prime Rate.

               "Lien" shall mean any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation,
          security interest, encumbrance, lien, judgment, garnishment,
          seizure, tax lien or levy (statutory or otherwise) or charge of
          any kind (including any agreement to give any of the foregoing,
          any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, or any
          capitalized lease, and the filing of or agreement to give any
          financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of any
          jurisdiction).

               "Line of Credit" shall mean the credit facility made
          available by Bank to Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01.

               "Line of Credit Period" shall mean the period commencing on
          the date hereof and ending on December 31, 1997.

               "Loans" shall mean the loans to Borrower described in
          Section 2.01 hereof and in Section 3.05 hereof, with each being a
          Loan, and shall include all principal, interest, attorney's fees
          and costs owed thereon.

               "Loan Documents" shall mean this Agreement, the promissory
          note(s) executed by Borrower, the security documents provided for
          in Section 4.01 hereof, the Letter of Credit Application and
          Agreements provided for in Section 3.03 hereof and all other
          documents evidencing or securing the Secured Obligations.

               "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean a material adverse
          effect on the properties, assets, liabilities, business,
          operations, prospects, income or condition (financial or
          otherwise) of Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

               "Permitted Acquisition" shall mean an Acquisition (a) solely
          through the issuance of common stock (or the use of the proceeds
          from the sale of common stock) of Borrower or of any Subsidiary
          after the date hereof or (b) complying with each of the following
          requirements: (i) the purchase price for all Acquisitions falling
          under this subparagraph (b) of this definition of Permitted
          Acquisition in any one fiscal year does not in the aggregate
          exceed $3,000,000.00, (ii) such Acquisition will not cause a
          Default and (iii) the ratio of (A) Consolidated Total Debt as of
          the end of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the date of
          such Acquisition (including any fiscal quarter ending on such
          date) plus the Indebtedness to be incurred or assumed by Borrower
          or its Subsidiaries in connection with such Acquisition plus all
          Debt of any Subsidiary to be acquired as of the date of such
          Acquisition (to the extent not already included) to (B)
          Consolidated EBITDA, determined as if such Acquisition was
          completed, for the four (4) fiscal quarters immediately preceding
          the date of such Acquisition (including any fiscal quarter ending
          on such date) will not exceed 4.00 to 1.

               "Permitted Liens" shall mean (i) pledges or deposits by
          Borrower or any Subsidiary under workmen's compensation laws,
          unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith
          deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than
          for the payment of Indebtedness of Borrower or any Subsidiary) or
          leases (other than capitalized leases) to which Borrower or any
          Subsidiary is a party, or deposits to secure statutory
          obligations of Borrower or any Subsidiary or deposits of cash or
          U.S. Government Bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which
          Borrower or any Subsidiary is a party, or deposits as security
          for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent;
          (ii) Liens imposed by law, such as vendors', carriers',
          warehousemen's, materialmen's and mechanics' liens, incurred in
          the ordinary course of business for sums not overdue or being
          contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which
          adequate reserves shall have been set aside on the books of
          Borrower or any Subsidiary; (iii) Liens in respect of judgments
          or awards, the Indebtedness with respect to which is permitted by
          Section 5.03(c)(v); (iv) Liens for taxes not yet delinquent and
          Liens for taxes the payment of which is being contested in good
          faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves
          shall have been set aside on the books of Borrower or a
          Subsidiary; (v) Liens in favor of Bank, (vi) survey exceptions,
          issues with regard to merchantability of title, easements or
          reservations of, or rights of others for rights-of-way, highways
          and railroad crossings, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and
          telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other
          restrictions as to the use of real property incidental to the
          conduct of the business of Borrower or any Subsidiary or to the
          ownership of its property which were not incurred in connection
          with indebtedness of Borrower or any Subsidiary, which Liens do
          not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of said
          properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the
          business taken as a whole of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (vii)
          leases of or purchase money security interests  against specific
          equipment with a book value not greater than $500,000.00 in the
          aggregate at any one time outstanding; (viii) any Liens not
          otherwise permitted hereby against any Subsidiary acquired by
          Borrower or any Subsidiary after October 14, 1997, not in
          existence for more than 90 days after the date of such
          Acquisition, (ix) any Liens outstanding on the date hereof
          against property that was owned by Dimensional Oil Field
          Services, Inc. or Nautilus Pipe & Tool Rental, Inc. at the time
          such Subsidiaries were acquired by Borrower and securing debt
          incurred in connection with the acquisition of such Subsidiaries
          and (x) any Lien against property that is owned by Sub-Surface
          Tools, Inc. at the time such Subsidiary is acquired by Borrower
          and securing debt incurred in connection with the acquisition of
          such Subsidiary so long as such Lien is expressly subordinate to
          the security interest in favor of Bank in the assets of such
          Subsidiary pursuant to a subordination agreement acceptable to
          Bank.

               "Person" shall mean any individual, corporation,
          partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company,
          trust, unincorporated organization, government or agency or
          political subdivision thereof, or any other form of entity.

               "Prime Rate" shall mean the interest rate per annum
          announced from time to time by Citibank, N.A. at its main office
          in New York as its "prime rate" on commercial loans (which rate
          shall fluctuate as and when said prime rate shall change).

               "Secured Obligations" shall mean the Loans and all
          obligations, indebtedness and liabilities of every kind, nature
          and character of  Borrower to Bank, direct or contingent, due or
          to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, including,
          without limitation, all future advances, together with all
          interest, attorneys' fees, expenses of collection and costs, and
          further including, without limitation, obligations to Bank on any
          promissory notes, overdrafts, endorsements, continuing guaranties
          and this Agreement.

               "Stated Amount" of each Letter of Credit shall, at any time,
          mean the maximum amount available to be drawn thereunder.

               "Subsidiary" shall mean (a) any corporation of which more
          than fifty percent (50%) of the issued and outstanding capital
          stock entitled to vote for the election of directors (other than
          by reason of default in the payment of dividends) is at the time
          owned directly or indirectly by Borrower and/or any one or more
          Subsidiaries of Borrower, or (b) any partnership, limited
          liability company, business trust, or any other similar entity of
          which more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests is at
          the time owned directly or indirectly by Borrower and/or any one
          or more Subsidiary of Borrower, and specifically including, but
          not limited to, each of the entities listed on Schedule 1.01
          annexed hereto.

               "Telerate Page 3875" means the display designated as "Page
          3875" of the Dow Jones Telerate Service (or such other page as
          may replace Page 3875 on that service or such other service as
          may be nominated by the British Bankers' Association as the
          information vendor for the purpose of displaying British Bankers'
          Association Interest Settlement Rates for U.S. Dollar Deposits).

               1.02  Other Definitional Provisions.

               (a)   All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the
          defined meanings when used in any certificates or other document
          made or delivered pursuant hereto unless the context shall
          otherwise require.

               (b)   Words used herein in the singular, where the context
          so permits, shall be deemed to include the plural and vice versa.
          Likewise, the definitions of words used in the singular herein
          shall also apply to such words when used in the plural and vice
          versa, unless the context shall otherwise require.

               (c)   The words "hereof," "herein" and "hereunder" and words
          of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this
          Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this
          Agreement.

               (d)   Section, subsection, schedule and exhibit references
          are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

                                  II. Loans To Borrower

               2.01  (a)  Loans.  Subject to the due and faithful
          performance of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and in
          any instrument or agreement executed contemporaneous herewith or
          as a consequence hereof and in accordance with the terms and
          conditions of this Agreement, Bank shall make loans to Borrower
          from time to time during the Line of Credit Period provided that
          the principal amount of the loans plus the Stated Amount of all
          outstanding Letters of Credit shall not at any time exceed the
          Borrowing Base.  The Loans will bear interest on the outstanding
          principal balance from time to time at the rate equal to the
          LIBOR Rate and shall be payable interest only monthly in arrears
          on the last day of each month (or the immediate subsequent
          Business Day if any such last day is not a Business Day)
          commencing on November 30, 1997, with the balance of all
          outstanding principal and interest being due and payable on
          December 31, 1997.  Interest on the outstanding principal owed on
          the Loans will be computed and assessed on the basis of the
          actual number of days elapsed over a year composed of 360 days.
          The obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans shall be
          evidenced by a promissory note made payable to the order of Bank
          in the principal sum of $45,000,000.00, a copy of which is
          attached hereto as Exhibit B.

               (b)   Loans Shall Never Exceed Borrowing Base.  The
          principal amount of the Loans plus the Stated Amount of all
          outstanding Letters of Credit shall not at any time exceed the
          Borrowing Base.  To the extent that the principal amount of the
          Loans plus the Stated Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit
          exceed, at any time, the Borrowing Base, Borrower shall
          immediately pay such excess amounts to Bank as a payment on the
          Loans.

               2.02  (a)  Advance Request.  Upon the terms and subject to
          the conditions hereof, Borrower may request an Advance under the
          Line of Credit during a Business Day between the hours of 9:00
          a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (New Orleans time).  If Bank receives the
          Borrower's proper request for an Advance by no later than 3:00
          p.m. (New Orleans time), then Bank shall make the Advance in
          accordance herewith on the same Business Day.  If Bank receives
          the Borrower's request for an Advance later than 3:00 p.m. (New
          Orleans time), then Bank shall make the Advance in accordance
          herewith on the next Business Day.  Each request for an Advance
          shall be made either by telephone calls to Bank or in writing, by
          delivering to Bank by mail, hand-delivery, or facsimile a request
          (i) specifying the amount to be borrowed, (ii) specifying the
          date the funds will be advanced and (iii) complying with the
          requirements of this Section.  Bank shall have the right to
          verify the telephone requests by calling the person who made the
          request at the telephone number identified by the Borrower.  If
          the Advance request is by telephone, the Borrower will confirm
          said request in writing within two (2) Business Days.  All such
          Advance requests shall be made by the Borrower's Agent.  Borrower
          agrees that only its duly authorized Borrower's Agent shall make
          an Advance request.

               (b)   Credit Advice.  All Advances shall be credited to a
          demand deposit account maintained by the Borrower with Bank.
          After the borrowing of any Advance under the Line of Credit in
          accordance with this Agreement, Bank will mail to the Borrower an
          advice showing the amount of the Advance and the amount of funds
          credited into the Borrower's account.  Bank's failure to mail the
          credit advice shall not alter the Borrower's obligation to repay
          the Loans or make the Bank liable to the Borrower for failure to
          mail the credit advice.

               (c)   Internal Records Shall Control.  The principal amount
          shown on the face of the note evidencing the Loans evidences the
          maximum aggregate principal amount that may be outstanding from
          time to time under the Loans.  The Borrower agrees that the
          internal records of Bank shall constitute for all purposes prima
          facie evidence of (i) the amount of principal and interest owing
          on the Loans from time to time, (ii) the amount of each Advance
          or Loan made to the Borrower and (iii) the amount of each
          principal and/or interest payment received by Bank on the Loans.

               (d)   Reliance on Communications.  Borrower hereby
          authorizes Bank to rely on telephonic, telegraphic, telecopy,
          telex or written or oral instructions believed by Bank in good
          faith to have been sent, delivered or given by Borrower's Agent
          with respect to any request to make a Loan or a repayment
          hereunder, and on any signature which Bank in good faith believes
          to be genuine.

               2.03  Prepayment.  Borrower shall have the right at any time
          and from time to time to prepay the Loans in whole or in part
          without penalty by paying all or a portion of the unpaid
          principal balance of the Loans, as applicable, plus accrued
          interest through the date of prepayment.

               2.04  Changes in or Illegality with Respect to LIBOR Rate.
          In the event that Bank shall have determined in good faith (which
          determination shall, absent manifest error, be final and
          conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto):

               (a)   at any time, that, by reason of any changes arising
                     after the date of this Agreement affecting the London
                     interbank market, adequate and fair means do not exist
                     for ascertaining the applicable interest rate on the
                     basis provided for in the definition of LIBOR Rate;

               (b)   at any time, that Bank shall incur increased costs or
                     reductions in the amounts received or receivable
                     hereunder with respect to the Loans because of any
                     change since the date of this Agreement in any
                     applicable law or governmental rule, regulation,
                     order, guideline or request or in the interpretation
                     or administration thereof and including the
                     introduction of any new law or governmental rule,
                     regulation, order, guideline or request, such as, for
                     example, but not limited to: (i) a change in the basis
                     of taxation of payment to Bank of the principal or
                     interest on the Loans accruing interest based upon the
                     LIBOR Rate (except for changes in the rate of tax on,
                     or determined by reference to, the net income or
                     profits of Bank) or (ii) a change in official reserve
                     requirements; or

               (c)   at any time, that the making or continuance of a loan
                     accruing interest based upon the LIBOR Rate has been
                     made (x) unlawful by any law or governmental rule,
                     regulation or order, (y) impossible by compliance by
                     Bank in good faith with any governmental request
                     (whether or not having force of law) or (z)
                     impracticable as a result of a contingency occurring
                     after the date of this Agreement which materially and
                     adversely affects the London interbank market;

          then, and in any such event, Bank shall promptly give notice (by
          telephone confirmed in writing) to Borrower.  Thereafter (i) in
          case of clause (a) or (c) above, Borrower agrees that interest on
          the Loans shall accrue, and Borrower agrees to pay interest, at a
          rate equal to the Prime Rate until such time as Bank notifies
          Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no
          longer exist and (ii) in the case of clause (b) above, Borrower
          agrees to pay to Bank, upon written demand therefor, such
          additional amounts (in the form of an increased rate of, or a
          different method of calculating, interest or otherwise as agreed
          to by Bank and Borrower) as shall be required to compensate Bank
          for such increased costs or reductions in amounts received or
          receivable hereunder (a written notice as to the additional
          amounts owed to Bank, showing the basis for the calculation
          thereof, submitted to Borrower by Bank in good faith shall,
          absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding on all
          the parties hereto).  Bank agrees that if it gives notice to
          Borrower of any of the events described in clause (a), (b) or (c)
          above, it shall promptly notify Borrower if such event ceases to
          exist.

              2.05.  Use of Proceeds.  The Borrower shall use the proceeds
          of the Loans for Permitted Acquisitions and other general
          corporate purposes, including without limitation, for the purpose
          of making loans to Subsidiaries for working capital and other
          corporate purposes of such Subsidiaries.

               2.06  (a)  Commitment Fee.  Borrower shall pay to Bank, in
          arrears, on the last day of March, June, September and December
          in each year (or, if such day is not a Business Day, on the next
          succeeding Business Day) and on the last day of the Line of
          Credit Period, a commitment fee (the "Commitment Fee") equal to
          1/4 of 1% of the unused Line of Credit during the preceding
          fiscal quarter, or portion thereof, which unused Line of Credit
          shall be arrived at by dividing the sum of the unused Line of
          Credit for each day of that quarter as of the close of each day,
          by 90.  The unused Line of Credit shall be defined as (x)
          $45,000,000.00 minus (y) the sum of (1) all outstanding Loans and
          (2) the Stated Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit.

               (b)   Origination Fee.  Borrower shall pay to Bank an
          origination fee equal to 1/4 of 1% of $45,000,000.00.  Bank will
          credit such origination fee to any origination fee due by
          Borrower in connection with any facility made available by Bank
          (or by Bank and one or more other lenders pursuant to which Bank
          is the agent) to amend, restate or take out the Line of Credit (a
          "Restated Facility").  Nothing contained in this Section 2.06
          shall be construed to constitute a commitment by Bank to make
          available a Restated Facility or any other loan.

               (c)   Termination or Reduction of Line of Credit.  Borrower
          may, upon three (3) Business Days' prior written notice to Bank,
          terminate entirely at any time or reduce from time to time by an
          aggregate amount of $1,000,000.00 or any larger multiple of
          $500,000.00 the unused portion of the Line of Credit; provided,
          however, that (i) at no time shall the Line of Credit be reduced
          to a figure less than the principal amount of the Loans
          outstanding plus the Stated Amount of all outstanding Letters of
          Credit, (ii) at no time shall the Line of Credit be reduced to a
          figure less than $5,000,000.00 and (iii) any such termination or
          reduction shall be permanent and Borrower shall have no right to
          thereafter reinstate or increase, as the case may be, the Line of
          Credit.  Borrower agrees to pay to Bank a termination or
          reduction fee on the effective date of each reduction or any
          termination in the Line of Credit pursuant to this Section
          2.06(c) equal to 1/10 of 1% of the amount of each such reduction
          or any termination.  No termination or reduction fee will be due
          in connection with any Restated Facility.

                               III. Letters of Credit

               3.01  Issuance of Letters of Credit.  Subject to the due and
          faithful performance of the terms and conditions of this
          Agreement and in any instrument or agreement executed
          contemporaneous herewith or as a consequence hereof and in
          accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Bank
          shall issue, from time to time prior to the expiration of the
          Line of Credit Period for the account of Borrower or for the
          account of Borrower and any Subsidiary and for the benefit of any
          holder, irrevocable stand-by letters of credit up to an aggregate
          total Stated Amount of $5,000,000.00 at any one time outstanding
          (each a "Letter of Credit"), each for a maximum term not to
          extend beyond the Line of Credit Period; provided that the
          principal amount of the Loans plus the Stated Amount of all
          outstanding Letters of Credit shall not at any time exceed the
          Borrowing Base.  A Letter of Credit may only be utilized to
          guaranty or support the payment of obligations of Borrower or any
          Subsidiary to third parties incurred in the ordinary course of
          business.

               3.02  Existing Letters of Credit.  The letters of credit
          listed on Schedule 3.02 shall be deemed an outstanding Letters of
          Credit under this Agreement and shall be governed by the terms
          and provisions of this Agreement.

               3.03  Letter of Credit Application and Agreement.  Prior to
          the issuance of any Letter of Credit hereunder, Borrower, and if
          the Letter of Credit is to be issued for the account of Borrower
          and a Subsidiary, such Subsidiary, shall have executed and
          delivered to Bank a Letter of Credit Application and Agreement
          for the issuance thereof on Bank's standard forms and in
          accordance with Bank's usual procedures, with Borrower and any
          Subsidiary executing same to be jointly, severally and solidarily
          liable thereunder.

               3.04  Commitment Fee.  For each Letter of Credit, Borrower
          shall pay to Bank an annual nonrefundable commitment fee payable
          quarterly in an amount equal to the rate determined by Bank and
          Borrower prior to the issuance of the Letter of Credit
          (calculated on an actual day, 360 day year basis) times the face
          amount (taking into account any scheduled increases or decreases
          therein during the period in question) of each such Letter of
          Credit issued hereunder ("Letter of Credit Commitment Fee"),
          which Letter of Credit Commitment Fee shall be due and payable in
          arrears with respect to each Letter of Credit on the last
          Business Day of each calendar quarter during the term of each
          respective Letter of Credit and on the termination thereof
          (whether at its stated maturity or earlier).  Borrower further
          agrees to pay to Bank all reasonable administrative fees of
          Borrower in connection with the issuance, maintenance,
          modification (if any) and administration of each Letter of Credit
          and standard negotiation charges upon demand from time to time.

               3.05  Payment or Disbursement.  Any payment or disbursement
          made by Bank with respect to a Letter of Credit shall be deemed
          to be an Advance by Bank of a Loan, and shall be subject to all
          of the terms and conditions applicable to the Loans. To the
          extent that any Letter of Credit remains outstanding on the last
          day of the Line of Credit Period, Bank shall retain all of the
          Collateral for the Loans until such time as the Letter of Credit
          is extinguished and amounts drawn thereunder paid in full,
          notwithstanding the full repayment and satisfaction of all
          Secured Obligations other than those created by the Letter of
          Credit.  The Collateral retained shall then serve as security for
          the repayment of any amounts that may be drawn down under the
          Letters of Credit.

                                      IV.  Security

               4.01  Security Documents.  The Secured Obligations shall,
          together with any other security documents now or hereafter
          existing in favor of Bank, be secured by the following security
          documents:

               (a)   Security agreements and financing statements whereby
                     Borrower and each Subsidiary, except 1105 Peters Road,
                     Inc., grants Bank a lien and security interest in all
                     accounts, all chattel paper, all general intangibles,
                     all equipment, and all inventory of Borrower and each
                     Subsidiary subject to no Liens other than Permitted
                     Liens.

               (b)   A Continuing Guarantee of each Subsidiary, except 1105
                     Peters Road, Inc.

               (c)   A Security Agreement whereby Borrower grants Bank a
                     lien and security interest in the outstanding common
                     stock of each Subsidiary subject to no other Liens.

               4.02  New Subsidiaries.  Within fifteen (15) days of the
          creation or acquisition of any Subsidiary, in each case, in
          accordance with the terms of this Agreement, any such new
          Subsidiary shall, (a) execute and deliver to Bank a Continuing
          Guarantee in form of Exhibit A annexed hereto and (b) execute a
          Security Agreement in the form of Exhibit C annexed hereto and
          financing statement(s) relating thereto granting Bank a security
          interest in the movable assets of such Subsidiary subject to no
          Liens other than Permitted Liens, as security for the Secured
          Obligations.  If 1105 Peters Road, Inc. acquires additional
          property or commences to conduct business of a nature not
          conducted by such Subsidiary on the date hereof, then,
          notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.01 hereof, 1105
          Peters Road, Inc. will promptly (a) execute and deliver to Bank a
          Continuing Guarantee in form of Exhibit A annexed hereto and (b)
          execute a Security Agreement in the form of Exhibit C annexed
          hereto and financing statement(s) relating thereto granting Bank
          a security interest in its movable assets subject to no Liens
          other than Permitted Liens, as security for the Secured
          Obligations.

               4.03  Further Documents.  Should Bank choose to make any
          Loan prior to obtaining all of the Loan Documents and other
          documents required hereby, Borrower shall deliver or arrange to
          have delivered such Loan Documents and documents upon the request
          of Bank.  Borrower and each Subsidiary will promptly cure any
          defects in the creation, execution and delivery of the Loan
          Documents.  Borrower will promptly execute and deliver, and
          arrange for each Subsidiary to execute and deliver, to Bank upon
          request all such other and further documents, agreements and
          instruments in compliance with or accomplishment of the covenants
          and agreements of Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the Loan
          Documents or to further evidence and more fully describe the
          Collateral, or to correct any omissions in the Loan Documents, or
          more fully to state the obligations set out in any of the Loan
          Documents, or to make, perfect, protect or preserve any liens
          created pursuant to any of the Loan Documents, or to make any
          recordings, to file any notices, or to obtain any contracts, all
          as may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith.

               4.04    Reimbursement of Expenses.  Borrower agrees (i) to
          promptly pay or reimburse Bank for all of Bank's reasonable
          out-of-pocket costs, expenses and attorneys' fees incurred in
          connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this
          Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (ii) to promptly pay or
          reimburse Bank for all of Bank's reasonable out-of-pocket costs
          and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation,
          execution and delivery of any amendment, supplement or
          modification to this Agreement or any other Loan Documents and
          (iii) to promptly pay or reimburse Bank the reasonable fees and
          disbursements of counsel to Bank and the reasonable costs and
          expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement or
          preservation of any rights under this Agreement and any other
          Loan Documents.

               4.05  Opinion of Borrower's Counsel.  At Closing or at such
          other time satisfactory to Bank, Borrower shall have counsel
          satisfactory to Bank provide an opinion to Bank in form
          satisfactory to Bank relating to the Loan Documents.  Upon the
          execution of additional Loan Documents pursuant to Section 4.02
          hereof, Borrower shall have counsel satisfactory to Bank provide
          an opinion to Bank in form satisfactory to Bank relating to such
          additional Loan Documents.

               4.06  Verification and Audits.  Bank has the right to
          perform such verifications and audits with respect to the
          accounts and inventory of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as Bank
          deems appropriate.

               4.07  Lock Box.  Upon the written request of Bank, Borrower
          and its Subsidiaries will notify all account debtors to pay the
          proceeds of the accounts and any proceeds of letters of credit to
          a lock box located at Bank and shall furnish a copy of the
          notifications to Bank.  The provisions of Banks standard form of
          Lock Box Agreement, shall apply to the lock box.  Bank shall also
          have the right to notify the account debtors to pay the proceeds
          of the accounts of Borrower and its Subsidiaries directly to
          Bank.   In the event that Bank requests a lock box arrangement,
          all proceeds of the accounts of Borrower and its Subsidiaries
          shall be placed in a collateral account of Borrower at Bank (the
          "Collateral Account") and Bank will apply the proceeds in the
          Collateral Account to payment of the Line of Credit with any
          remaining balance deposited to Borrower's demand deposit account
          at Bank; provided that, upon the occurrence of a Default, Bank is
          entitled to apply the entire sums towards payment of the Loans
          and any of the other Secured Obligations.

              V.  Warranties, Representations and Covenants of Borrower

               5.01  Representations and Warranties.  In order to induce
          Bank to enter into this Agreement and make the Loans, Borrower
          hereby represents, warrants and covenants to Bank, the following:

               (a)   Borrower and each Subsidiary: (i) is duly organized,
          validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
          jurisdiction of its organization; (ii) has all requisite powers
          and all governmental and regulatory licenses, authorizations,
          consents and approvals required to carry on its business as now
          conducted; and (iii) is qualified to transact business as a
          foreign entity in, and is in good standing under the laws of, all
          states in which it is required by applicable law to maintain such
          qualification and good standing except for those states in which
          the failure to qualify or maintain good standing could not
          reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

               (b)   The execution, delivery and performance by Borrower of
          this Agreement, the Letter of Credit Application(s) and the other
          Loan Documents are within the corporate powers of Borrower and
          have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action.  The
          execution, delivery and performance by each Subsidiary of any
          Continuing Guarantee and any other Loan Documents executed by
          such Subsidiary are within the corporate powers of such
          Subsidiary and have been duly authorized by all necessary
          corporate action.

               (c)   No consent or approval of any governmental agency or
          authority required in connection with the execution, delivery and
          performance by Borrower and the Subsidiaries of the Loan
          Documents is required.

               (d)   All Loan Documents are legal, valid and binding
          obligations of Borrower and each Subsidiary, as applicable,
          enforceable according to their terms and conditions, and all
          statements made in this Agreement are true and correct as of the
          date hereof in all material respects.

               (e)   Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Loans only for
          the purposes specifically described herein or as otherwise agreed
          to by Bank.

               (f)   To the extent applicable, Borrower and each Subsidiary
          has fulfilled its obligations under the minimum funding standards
          of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
          amended ("ERISA"), and the Internal Revenue Code with respect to
          each plan and is in compliance in all material respects with the
          presently applicable provisions of ERISA and the Internal Revenue
          Code, and has not incurred any liability to the Pension Benefit
          Guaranty Corporation or to a Plan under Title IV of ERISA which
          the failure to comply with could have a Material Adverse Effect.

               (g)   Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary is in default in
          the performance, observance or fulfillment of (i) any of the
          obligations, covenants or conditions contained in any indenture,
          agreement or other instrument to which it is a party or (ii) with
          respect to any judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree or
          decision of any government agency or authority, and which could
          have a Material Adverse Effect.

               (h)   Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary has any material
          (individually or in the aggregate) liabilities, direct or
          contingent, except as disclosed or referred to in the financial
          statements delivered to Bank.  There is no litigation, legal or
          administrative proceeding, investigation or other action of any
          nature pending or, to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened
          against or affecting Borrower or any Subsidiary which involves
          the possibility of any judgment, order, ruling, or liability not
          fully covered by insurance or fully reserved for by Borrower or a
          Subsidiary, and which could have a Material Adverse Effect.

               (i)   Borrower and each Subsidiary has filed all tax returns
          and reports required to be filed and has paid all taxes,
          assessments, fees and other governmental charges levied upon
          Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or upon any property owned by
          Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or upon Borrower's or its
          Subsidiary's income, which are due and payable, including
          interest and penalties, or has provided adequate reserves for the
          payment thereof.

               (j)   Borrower and each Subsidiary has good and marketable
          title to all of its property, title to which is material to the
          Borrower or such Subsidiary, subject to no Liens, except
          Permitted Liens.

               (k)   Borrower and each Subsidiary has complied in all
          material respects with all laws that are applicable to all or any
          part of the operation of its business activities, including,
          without limitation, (i) all laws regarding the collection,
          payment, and deposit of employees' income, unemployment, social
          security, sales, and excise taxes, all laws with respect to
          pension liabilities, and (ii) all laws pertaining to
          environmental protection and occupational safety and health which
          the failure to comply with could have a Material Adverse Effect.

               (l)   Other than any agreements which have been delivered to
          Bank, neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary is a party to any
          indenture, agreement or other instrument materially and adversely
          affecting its business, properties or assets, operation or
          condition, whether financial or otherwise.

               (m)   Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary will change its
          principal place of business or chief executive office from the
          location set forth in the Loan Documents or change the location,
          as set forth in the Loan Documents, of any inventory or equipment
          owned by Borrower or such Subsidiary, unless Borrower or such
          Subsidiary, as applicable, has obtained Bank's prior written
          consent and has taken such action as is necessary to cause the
          security interest of Bank in the Collateral to continue to be a
          first priority perfected security interest subject only to
          Permitted Liens.

               5.02  Affirmative Covenants.  From the date of this
          Agreement and so long as any Loan shall be outstanding, unless
          compliance shall have been waived in writing by Bank, Borrower
          shall:

               (a)   Furnish to Bank:

                     (i)  upon the request of Bank, a Compliance
                          Certificate and Borrowing Base Report in the form
                          annexed hereto as Exhibit D certified by its
                          Chief Financial Officer;

                     (ii) no later than 20 days after month end, a
                          Compliance Certificate and Borrowing Base Report
                          in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit D;

                     (iii)no later than 20 days after the close of each
                          quarter of Borrower's fiscal year, an accounts
                          receivable report of Borrower and its
                          Subsidiaries including for each account the name
                          of the account debtor, the balance due on the
                          account, and an aging for the account.  The
                          report shall be in such form and shall contain
                          such information as Bank may require and shall be
                          certified by Borrower's Chief Financial Officer;

                     (iv) within 45 days after the close of each quarter of
                          Borrower's fiscal year, consolidated financial
                          statements of Borrower and its Subsidiaries
                          consisting of a balance sheet as of the end of
                          such fiscal quarter, a statement of earnings and
                          surplus for such fiscal quarter, and a statement
                          of cash flow for such fiscal quarter certified by
                          the Borrower's Chief Financial Officer;

                     (v)  within 90 days after the close of Borrower's
                          fiscal year a copy of annual consolidated
                          financial statements of Borrower and its
                          Subsidiaries, including a balance sheet as of the
                          end of each such fiscal year, a statement of
                          earnings and surplus for such fiscal year, and a
                          statement of cash flow for such fiscal year,
                          which statements shall be audited by an
                          independent certified public accounting firm
                          acceptable to Bank;

                     (vi) simultaneously with the delivery of each set of
                          financial statements of Borrower referred to
                          above, a certificate of the Borrower's Chief
                          Financial Officer, accompanied by supporting
                          financial work sheets where appropriate, (A)
                          evidencing Borrower's compliance with the
                          financial covenants contained in Sections
                          5.02(h)-(l) of this Agreement as calculated on a
                          consolidated basis for Borrower and its
                          Subsidiaries (and including, without limitation,
                          a computation of the ratio of Consolidated Total
                          Debt as of the end of the immediately preceding
                          fiscal quarter to Consolidated EBITDA for the
                          immediately preceding four (4) fiscal quarters),
                          (B) stating whether there exists on the date of
                          such certificate any Default, and if a Default
                          then exists, setting forth the details thereof
                          and the action which Borrower is taking or
                          proposes to take with respect thereto;

                     (vii)promptly upon, and in any event within two
                          business days of, becoming aware of the
                          occurrence of any event which constitutes a
                          Default (as hereinafter defined), notice of such
                          occurrence together with a detailed statement by
                          a responsible officer of Borrower of the steps
                          being taken by Borrower to cure the effect of
                          such event; and

                     (viii)such further information that Bank deems
                          reasonably necessary to monitor the Loans.

               (b)   Observe and comply, and cause each of its Subsidiaries
          to observe and comply with all valid laws, statutes, codes, acts,
          ordinances, orders, judgments, decrees, injunctions, rules,
          regulations, certificates, franchises, permits, licenses,
          authorizations, directions and requirements of all federal,
          state, county, municipal and other governments, agencies,
          departments, divisions, commissions, boards, courts, authorities,
          officials and officers, domestic or foreign, including, without
          limitation, (i) all laws regarding the collection, payment, and
          deposit of employees' income, unemployment, social security,
          sales, and excise taxes, all laws with respect to pension
          liabilities, and (ii) all laws pertaining to environmental
          protection and occupational safety and health with which the
          failure to comply could have a Material Adverse Effect.

               (c)   Pay and discharge, and cause each of its Subsidiaries
          to pay and discharge, all taxes, assessments and governmental
          charges or levies imposed upon it, or upon its income and profits
          prior to the date on which penalties might attach thereto and all
          lawful claims which, if unpaid, might become a lien or charge
          upon the assets of Borrower or any Subsidiaries (other than a
          Permitted Lien); provided, however, that Borrower and its
          Subsidiaries shall not be required to pay and discharge any such
          tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim so long as the legality
          thereof shall be contested in good faith and by appropriate
          proceedings and for which Borrower and its Subsidiaries have
          provided adequate reserves.

               (d)   Maintain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to
          maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance
          companies, insurance on all its property in at least such amounts
          and against at least such risks as are usually insured against in
          the same general area by companies engaged in the same or a
          similar business; and furnish to Bank, upon written request of
          Bank, full information as to the insurance carried.

               (e)   At all times, maintain, protect and keep in good
          repair, working order and condition (ordinary wear and tear
          excepted), and cause each of its Subsidiaries so to do, all
          property necessary to the operation of Borrower and its
          Subsidiaries' material businesses.

               (f)   Obtain or maintain, as applicable, and cause each of
          its Subsidiaries to obtain or maintain, as applicable, in full
          force and effect, all licenses, franchises, intellectual
          property, permits, authorizations and other rights as are
          necessary for the conduct of its business and the failure of
          which to obtain or maintain could have a Material Adverse Effect.

               (g)   Promptly, and in any event within two business days,
          notify Bank of (i) the arising of any litigation or dispute,
          threatened against or affecting assets of Borrower or any
          Subsidiary, which, if adversely determined, could have a Material
          Adverse Effect; or (ii) any default under any contract to which
          Borrower or any Subsidiary is a party which could have a Material
          Adverse Effect.

               (h)   Have and maintain a ratio of Consolidated Total Debt
          to Consolidated Net Worth of not greater than 2.00 to 1.00 as of
          the end of each fiscal quarter.

               (i)   Have and maintain, as of the end of each fiscal
          quarter, net working capital of at least $2,000,000.00.

               (j)   Have and maintain a Consolidated Current Ratio of at
          least 1.50 to 1.00 as of the end of each fiscal quarter.

               (k)   Have and maintain a Consolidated Debt Service Coverage
          Ratio as of the end of each fiscal quarter of at least 1.50 to
          1.00.

               (l)   Have and maintain at all times a ratio of Consolidated
          Total Debt to Consolidated EBITDA for the immediately preceding
          four fiscal quarters of not more than 4.00 to 1.00.

               5.03  Negative Covenants.  From the date of this Agreement
          and so long as any Loan shall be outstanding, Borrower shall not
          without the prior written consent of Bank:

               (a)   (i) acquire all or substantially all of the assets of
          any entity or acquire stock or other equity interest (in whole or
          in part) in any entity, or permit any Subsidiary so to do, except
          for Permitted Acquisitions, (ii) directly or indirectly, merge
          into or with or consolidate with any other Person or permit any
          other Person to merge into or with or consolidate with it, or
          permit any Subsidiary so to do, except in connection with
          Permitted Acquisitions, or (iii) sell, assign, lease, transfer,
          abandon or otherwise dispose of any of its property (including,
          without limitation, any shares of capital stock of a Subsidiary)
          or permit any Subsidiary so to do, except for (A) sales of
          inventory (including, without limitation, any equipment held for
          sale or lease) in the ordinary course of business, (B) sales of
          fixed assets by Borrower or any Subsidiary during any fiscal
          quarter having a book value in an aggregate amount not to exceed
          ten percent (10%) of the book value of the total assets of
          Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, as of the end of the
          fiscal quarter immediately preceding any such sale, so long as
          such fixed assets shall be sold to third party buyers in
          arms-length transactions on reasonable terms and so long as the
          net proceeds thereof are used solely to purchase other fixed
          assets which are consistent with the Company Business within a
          reasonable time or to pay any principal due on the Loans;

               (b)   mortgage or encumber any of its assets or suffer any
          Liens to exist on any of its assets without the prior written
          consent of Bank other than Permitted Liens, or permit any
          Subsidiary so to do;

               (c)   incur or be obligated on any Indebtedness, or permit
          any Subsidiary so to do, other than: (i) the Secured Obligations,
          (ii) Indebtedness, other than Indebtedness described in
          Subparagraph (viii) of this Section 5.03(c), existing as of the
          date of this Agreement, (iii) Indebtedness of a Subsidiary to
          Borrower or another Subsidiary or Indebtedness of Borrower to a
          Subsidiary, (iv) Indebtedness in respect of taxes, assessments,
          governmental charges or levies and claims for labor, materials
          and supplies not yet due or payable; provided, however, that
          neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary shall be required to pay any
          claim the payment of which is being contested in good faith and
          by appropriate proceedings being diligently conducted and for
          which adequate provision as determined in accordance with GAAP
          has been made, (v) Indebtedness in respect of judgments or awards
          for which adequate provision as determined in accordance with
          GAAP has been made so long as execution is not levied thereunder
          and in respect of which Borrower shall at the time in good faith
          be prosecuting an appeal or proceedings for review and a
          suspensive appeal bond in the full amount of such judgment or
          award shall have been obtained by Borrower or such Subsidiary
          with respect thereto, (vi) current liabilities of Borrower or any
          Subsidiary incurred in the ordinary course of business not
          incurred through (A) the borrowing of money, or (B) the obtaining
          of credit except for credit on an open account basis customarily
          extended and in fact extended in connection with normal purchases
          of goods and services, (vii) endorsements for collection,
          deposits or negotiation and warranties of products or services,
          in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business, (viii)
          Indebtedness in respect of performance, surety or appeal bonds
          obtained in the ordinary course of Borrower's or any Subsidiary's
          business, and (viii) Indebtedness in an amount not to exceed
          $500,000.00 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding for
          Borrower and all Subsidiaries relating to Liens permitted under
          subparagraph (viii) of the definition of Permitted Liens.

               (d)   assign this Agreement or any interest herein nor
          transfer any interest in any Collateral (other than the sale of
          inventory in the ordinary course of business), whether subject to
          or with assumption of the Loan Documents, or otherwise;

               (e)   pay any dividends or make any other distributions to
          its shareholders in their capacities as such, or permit any
          Subsidiary so to do;

               (f)   terminate or make any substantial change in the duties
          of Terence E. Hall without the approval of the Bank, or permit
          any Subsidiary so to do;

               (g)    engage in any business if, as a result, the general
          nature of the business which would then be engaged in by Borrower
          and its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole, would be
          substantially changed from the Company Business, or permit any
          Subsidiary so to do;

               (h)    incur any Capital Expenditures, or allow any
          Subsidiary so to do, in excess of $3,000,000.00 in the aggregate
          for Borrower and its Subsidiaries in any fiscal year, provided
          that Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be permitted to
          additionally incur during the Line of Credit Period Capital
          Expenditures in the aggregate amount of $10,000,000.00 through
          the use of funds obtained through the issuance of the common
          stock of Borrower after the date hereof; and/or

               (i)   except in connection with the administration of the
          1995 Stock Incentive Plan of Borrower, (a) purchase, redeem,
          retire or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, for
          consideration,  any shares of its common stock or any warrant or
          option to purchase any such shares, or allow any Subsidiary so to
          do or (b) set aside any funds or other property or assets for any
          such purposes, or allow any Subsidiary so to do.

                                 VI.  Extension of Credit

               Bank will not be obligated to make any Advance or to issue
          any Letter of Credit, unless:

               (a)   The representations and warranties of Borrower
          contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct on and as
          of the date of the Advance;

               (b)   Borrower has observed and performed all of its
          covenants, obligations and agreements under this Agreement,
          including but not limited to the delivery to Bank of all Loan
          Documents and other documents required hereby;

               (c)   No Default shall have occurred and be continuing, or
          there shall have occurred any condition, event or act which
          constitutes, or with notice or lapse of time (or both) would
          constitute a Default;

               (d)   No change in the properties, assets, liabilities,
          business, operations, prospects, income or condition (financial
          or otherwise) of Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole
          and having a Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred since
          the date of this Agreement and be continuing; and

               (e)   All of the representations and warranties of Borrower
          contained in Section 5.01 of this Agreement and of Borrower and
          each Subsidiary in the other Loan Documents shall be true and
          correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such
          Loan or Letter of Credit as if made on and as of the date of such
          Loan or Letter of Credit.

                                      VII.  Defaults

               7.01  Default.  The occurrence of any of the following
          events shall be considered a "Default" as that term is used
          herein:

               (a)   the failure of Borrower to pay promptly when due any
          interest or principal on any of the Secured Obligations including
          but not limited to the Loans;

               (b)   the failure of Borrower or any Subsidiary to observe
          or perform promptly when due any covenant, agreement, or
          obligation under this Agreement or under any of the other Loan
          Documents;

               (c)   the material inaccuracy when made or deemed made of
          any warranty, representation, or statement made to Bank by
          Borrower or any Subsidiary, whether such warranty,
          representation, or statement is made (i) in this Agreement or
          (ii) in any other agreement, document, or writing;

               (d)    any garnishment, seizure, or attachment of, or any
          tax lien or tax levy against, any assets of Borrower or any
          Subsidiary, including without limitation, those assets that are
          Collateral, unless the same is being contested in good faith and
          for which adequate reserves shall have been set aside on the
          books of Borrower or any Subsidiary and Borrower or such
          Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall pay or cause to be paid
          same forthwith upon the commencement of proceedings to foreclose
          any Lien which is attached as security therefor, unless such
          foreclosure is stayed by the filing of an appropriate bond;

               (e)   one or more judgments, decrees, arbitration awards,
          rulings or decisions shall be entered against Borrower or any
          Subsidiary involving in the aggregate a liability (not paid or
          fully covered by insurance including self-insurance or the
          payment or performance bonds) of $100,000.00 or more and any such
          judgments, decrees, awards and rulings shall not have been
          vacated, paid, discharged, stayed or bonded pending appeal within
          60 days from the entry thereof;

               (f)   Borrower or any Subsidiary defaults in any payment of
          principal of or interest on any Indebtedness other than the Loans
          in the aggregate principal amount of more than $100,000.00, in
          each instance, beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in
          the instrument or agreement under which such Indebtedness or
          observance or performance of any other agreement or condition
          relating to any such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument
          or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any
          other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which
          default or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the
          holder or holders of such Indebtedness or beneficiary or
          beneficiaries of such (or a trustee, agent or other Person acting
          on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or
          beneficiaries) to cause, with the giving of notice if required,
          such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity;

               (g)   the filing by or against Borrower or any Subsidiary of
          a proceeding for bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, or any
          other relief afforded debtors or affecting the rights of
          creditors generally under the laws of any state or country or
          under the United States Bankruptcy Code; or

               (j)   any material adverse change in the properties, assets,
          liabilities, business, operations, prospects, income or condition
          (financial or otherwise) of Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken
          as a whole.

               7.02  Notice of Default and Remedies.  In the event of a
          Default and such Default continues for a period of fifteen (15)
          days (five (5) days for the failure to make a payment of
          principal or interest under the Loans) after Bank has given
          written notice of such Default to Borrower, Bank, at its option,
          shall have the right to exercise any and all of Bank's rights
          under the Loan Documents.  Nothing contained herein shall be
          construed to prohibit Bank from exercising any of its rights
          under any of the Loan Documents, whether or not there has been a
          Default, that Bank has the right to exercise under any of the
          Loan Documents even in the absence of a Default.

               7.03  No Obligation to Lend.  In the event of a Default,
          Bank shall have no obligation to make any Loan.

                                   VIII.  Miscellaneous

               8.01  Amendments and Waivers.  Neither this Agreement, nor
          any provisions hereof, may be changed, waived, discharged or
          terminated orally, or in any manner other than by an instrument
          in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of the
          change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.

               8.02  No Third Party Beneficiary. This Agreement is solely
          for the benefit of the parties and is not a stipulation for the
          benefit of any other person or entity except for any approved
          assignee of Borrower and any assignee of Bank.

               8.03  Governing Law.  This Agreement has been delivered to
          Bank and accepted by Bank in the State of Louisiana.  This
          Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
          the laws of the State of Louisiana.

               8.04  Caption Headings.  Caption headings of the sections of
          this Agreement are for convenience purposes only and are not to
          be used to interpret or to define their provisions.

               8.05  Conflict.  In the event any of the provisions of this
          Agreement conflict with any provisions contained in any other
          Loan Documents, the provisions of this Agreement shall govern.
          This Agreement amends and supersedes the Existing Loan Agreement
          and this Agreement supersedes and replaces any commitment
          letter(s) between Bank and Borrower.

               8.06  Jurisdiction.  Borrower hereby irrevocably submits to
          the jurisdiction of any court of the State of Louisiana or any
          court of the United States of America sitting in the Eastern
          District of Louisiana, as the Bank may elect, in any suit, action
          or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any
          other Loan Document.  Borrower irrevocably agrees that all claims
          in respect of such suit, action or proceeding may be heard and
          determined in any such courts.  Borrower irrevocably waives, to
          the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which Borrower
          may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such
          suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court, and
          Borrower further irrevocably waives any claim that such suit,
          action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought
          in an inconvenient forum.  Borrower authorizes the service of
          process upon Borrower by registered mail sent to Borrower at the
          address set forth herein or such other address as Borrower may
          specify in writing to Bank and in the manner specified in Section
          8.07 hereof.  THE BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY
          ACTION OR PROCEEDING (INCLUDING ANY COUNTERCLAIM) IN ANY COURT
          ARISING ON, OUT OF, OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND
          THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY AMENDMENT OR SUPPLEMENT HERETO OR
          THERETO OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

               8.07  Invalidity.  In the event that any one or more of the
          provisions contained in this Agreement or the other Loan
          Documents shall, for any reason, be held invalid, illegal or
          unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or
          unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this
          Agreement or the Loan Documents.

               8.08  Notices.  All communications under or in connection
          with this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be mailed by
          first class mail or express delivery, postage prepaid, or
          otherwise sent by telex, telegram, telecopy or other similar form
          of rapid transmission, or personally delivered to an officer of
          the receiving party.  All such communications shall be mailed,
          sent or delivered:

               To Bank:   Whitney National Bank                                
                          228 St. Charles Avenue                                
                          New Orleans, LA  70130                                
                          Attn:Johnny L. Kidder                                
                          Vice-President                                
                          Telecopier: (504) 586-7383               
                          
         With a copy to:  Roy E. Blossman                                
                          Carver, Darden, Koretzky, Tessier, Finn,  
                          Blossman & Areaux, L.L.C.      
                          1100 Poydras Street, Suite 2700  
                          New Orleans, LA 70130                                
                          Telecopier: (504) 585-3801               
                          
            To Borrower:  Superior Energy Services, Inc.  
                          1503 Engineers Road                              
                          Belle Chasse, LA 70037                                
                          Attn:Terence E. Hall                                
                          Telecopier: 393-9904               
                          
         With a copy to:  William B. Masters                                
                          Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, 
                          Carrere & Denegre, L.L.P.                  
                          51st Floor, 201 St. Charles Avenue     
                          New Orleans, Louisiana 70170         
                          Telecopier: (504) 582-8583               
                          
               8.09  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in several 
          counterparts and if executed shall constitute the agreement, binding 
          upon all the parties hereto, notwithstanding all the parties are not
          signatories to the original and same counterparts.          
          
                        TO END OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK               
                        
                        
                        
              IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement    
          on the date hereinabove set forth.        
          
          BANK:        WHITNEY NATIONAL BANK                      
          
                By:    ______________________________            
                           Hollie L. Ericksen                        
                        Its Assistant Vice President             
                        
          BORROWER:    SUPERIOR ENERGY SERVICES, INC.                  
                
                By:    ______________________________                         
                            Terence E. Hall
                             Its President          
                             


                  FIRST AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT       
                  
        This  First  Amendment  to  Loan  Agreement  is entered into effective  
as  of  the  20th  day of November, 1997,  by  and between  Whitney National  
Bank  ("Bank")  and  Superior  Energy Services, Inc. ("Borrower").    

        WHEREAS,  the parties hereto entered  into  an  Amended  and Restated  
Loan  Agreement  dated  November  5,  1997  (the  "Loan Agreement"); and        

        WHEREAS,  the  parties  hereto  desire  to  amend  the  Loan Agreement.
        
        NOW THEREFORE,  for  good  and  adequate  consideration  the receipt of 
which  is  hereby acknowledged, Borrower and Bank do hereby agree as follows:  

1.      As  used  herein,  capitalized  terms  will  have  the meanings 
        attributed to them in the Loan Agreement.               
        
2.      The definition  of  Applicable  Margin, Line of Credit Period and 
        Borrowing Base are hereby amended to read as follows:               
        
        "Applicable  Margin" shall mean, the rate  of  interest  per annum 
        shown in the applicable column below:                     

                                           Level I      Level II  Level III

             If Ratio of Consolidated       < 1.5        < 3.0      > 3.0
             Total Debt as of the end of                 > 1.5
             the immediately preceding
             fiscal quarter to
             Consolidated EBITDA for the
             immediately preceding four
             (4) fiscal quarters is

             Applicable Margin              2.00%        2.25%       2.5%

         The Applicable Margin shall commence at Level I and shall be adjusted 
on the first day of each March, June, September and  December (or, if such day 
is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day), based on the ratio 
of Consolidated Total Debt as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal 
quarter to Consolidated EBITDA for the immediately preceding four (4) fiscal 
quarters.  If Borrower should fail to deliver in a timely manner a certificate 
required under Section 5.02(a)(vi) hereof, then, until Borrower shall have 
provided such certificate, it shall be presumed that the ratio of Consolidated 
Total Debt as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter to 
Consolidated EBITDA for the immediately preceding four (4) fiscal quarters was 
greater than 3 (and, from the date of the delivery of such certificate, the 
Applicable Margin shall be determined by reference to such certificate). 

        "Borrowing Base" shall mean, as of the date of determination thereof, 
(a) through December 31, 1997, an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 
$45,000,000.00 or (ii) eighty-five (85%) percent of the base amounts owed on 
all Eligible Accounts as of such date plus fifty (50%) percent of all Eligible 
Inventory as of such date plus seventy (70%) percent of all Consolidated 
Property, Plant & Equipment as of such date or (b) after December 31, 1997, 
an amount equal to the lesser of (i) $30,000,000.00 or (ii) eighty-five (85%) 
percent of the base amounts owed on all Eligible Accounts as of such date plus 
fifty (50%) percent of all Eligible Inventory as of such date plus seventy   
(70%) percent of all Consolidated Property, Plant & Equipment as of such date.

        "Line of Credit Period" shall mean the period commencing on the date 
hereof and ending on March 31, 1999.                

3.      Section  2.01(a) of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended to read as 
        follows:                
        
        2.01  (a)  Loans.  Subject to the due and faithful performance of the 
        terms and conditions of this Agreement and in any instrument or 
        agreement executed contemporaneous herewith or as a consequence hereof 
        and in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Bank
        shall make loans to Borrower from time to time during the Line of  
        Credit Period provided that the principal amount of the loans plus the 
        Stated Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit shall not at any time
        exceed the Borrowing Base.  The Loans will bear interest on the 
        outstanding principal balance from time to time at the rate equal to the
        LIBOR Rate (provided that through December 31, 1997, the Loans shall 
        bear interest on the outstanding principal balance from time to time at 
        the rate equal to 7.27% per annum) and shall be payable interest only 
        quarterly in arrears on the last day of each quarter (or, if such day 
        is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day) commencing 
        on November 30, 1997, with the balance of all outstanding principal and 
        interest being due and payable on March 31, 1999.  Interest on the 
        outstanding principal owed on the Loans will be computed and assessed 
        on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year composed
        of 360 days.  The obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans shall be
        evidenced by a promissory note made payable to the order of Bank in the 
        principal sum of $45,000,000.00, a copy of which is attached hereto as 
        Exhibit B.                
        
4.      Section  2.01(a) of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended to read as 
        follows:                
        
        (a)   Commitment Fee.  Borrower shall pay to Bank, in arrears, on the 
        last day of March, June, September and December in each year (or, if 
        such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day) 
        and on the last day of the Line of Credit Period, a commitment fee 
        (the "Commitment Fee") equal to 1/4 of 1% of the unused Line of Credit 
        during the preceding fiscal quarter, or portion thereof, which unused 
        Line of Credit shall be arrived at by dividing the sum of the unused 
        Line of Credit for each day of that quarter as of the close of each 
        day, by 90.  Through December 31, 1997, the unused Line of Credit shall
        be defined as (x) $45,000,000.00 minus (y) the sum of (1) all 
        outstanding Loans and (2) the Stated Amount of all outstanding Letters 
        of Credit.  After December 31, 1997, the unused Line of Credit shall be 
        defined as (x) $30,000,000.00 minus (y) the sum of (1) all outstanding
        Loans and (2) the Stated Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit.
        
5.      Section  5.03(h) of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended to read as 
        follows:                      
        
        (h)   incur any Capital Expenditures, or allow any Subsidiary so to do, 
        in excess of $20,000,000.00 in the aggregate for Borrower and its 
        Subsidiaries in any fiscal year; and/or                
        
6.      The Loan Agreement is hereby amended to provide that Borrower shall use
        the net proceeds from the issuance of any common stock of Borrower 
        pursuant to Prospectus dated November 20, 1997 , to pay the Loans. 
        
7.      The Loan Agreement is hereby amended to provide that the failure of 
        Borrower to raise net proceeds in the amount of at least 
        $32,500,000.00 prior to December 31, 1997 through the issuance of 
        common stock of Borrower shall be a Default under the Loan Agreement.
        
8.      In connection with the foregoing and only in connection with the 
        foregoing, the Loan Agreement is hereby amended, but in all other 
        respects all of the terms and conditions of the Loan Agreement remain 
        unaffected.  Nothing in this First Amendment to Loan Agreement shall 
        affect, modify or release any security agreements, financing statements,
        mortgages, or other security documents presently existing in favor of 
        Bank, said security agreements, financing statements, mortgages and 
        other security documents to remain in full force and effect.
        
9.      Borrower acknowledges and agrees that this First Amendment to Loan 
        Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of any default(s) under the 
        Loan Agreement or any documents executed in connection therewith, all 
        of Bank's rights and remedies being preserved and maintained.    
        
10.     This First Amendment to Loan Agreement may be executed in any number 
        of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate 
        counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an 
        original and all of which when taken together shall constitute one and 
        the same agreement.                
        
        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement effective 
        as of the date hereinabove set forth.                   
        
        
                        BANK:  WHITNEY NATIONAL BANK            
                        
                        By:           ______________________________    
                                            Hollie L. Ericksen         
                                       Its Assistant Vice President    
                                       
                    BORROWER:  SUPERIOR ENERGY SERVICES, INC.        
                    
                        By:           ______________________________     
                                            Terence E. Hall
                                             Its President