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UNITED STATES
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 4, 2004

PIONEER DRILLING COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Texas
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  1-8182
(Commission File Number)
  74-2088619
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

9310 Broadway, Building I
San Antonio, Texas

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

78217
(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (210) 828-7689


        Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))




Item 2.02    Results of Operations and Financial Condition

        On November 4, 2004, we issued a press release announcing our results of operations for the second quarter and the first six months of our fiscal year ending March 31, 2005. A copy of that press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is incorporated by reference herein.

        The information pursuant to this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and will not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless specifically identified therein as being incorporated therein by reference.

Item 9.01.    Financial Statements and Exhibits

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SIGNATURE

        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.

    PIONEER DRILLING COMPANY

 

 

By:

/s/  
WILLIAM D. HIBBETTS      
William D. Hibbetts
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: November 5, 2004

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

No.

  Description

99.1   Press release issued by Pioneer Drilling Company, dated November 4, 2004.

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SIGNATURE
EXHIBIT INDEX