1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1





                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS




We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated January 30, 2001 relating to the
consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of Parker
Drilling Company and subsidiaries, which appears in Parker Drilling Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement
of our report dated July 12, 2001 relating to the financial statements of the
Parker Drilling Company Stock Bonus Plan which appears in Parker Drilling
Company Stock Bonus Plan's Annual Report on Form 11-K for the year ended
December 31, 2000.


/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP






Tulsa, Oklahoma
September 28, 2001