EXHIBIT 23.2

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

         We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement (Form S-8) pertaining to the Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. Amended and
Restated 1997 Long-Term Incentive Plan of our report dated February 16, 2001,
included in Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.'s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year
ended December 31, 2002, with respect to the consolidated financial statements
and schedule of UTI Energy Corp. as of December 31, 2000 and for the year then
ended (not presented separately therein), filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


                                                        /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Houston, Texas
August 25, 2003