8-K

                       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):

                                 APRIL 3, 2000

                            3TEC ENERGY CORPORATION
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE                            0-21702              76-0624573
(State or other jurisdiction        (Commission File     (IRS Employer
of incorporation)                   Number)              Identification No.)

         Two Shell Plaza, 777 Walker, Suite 2400,  Houston, Texas 77002
             (Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

                                 (713) 821-7100
               Registrant's telephone number, including area code

ITEM 5 - OTHER EVENTS

     3TEC Energy Corporation ("3TEC") announced today that the annual meeting of
its shareholders will be held May 24, 2000 at 10:00 a.m., at a location to be
announced in 3TEC's proxy statement that will be sent to shareholders.  Pursuant
to the bylaws of 3TEC, shareholder proposals must be received by the Secretary
of 3TEC, Stephen W. Herod, at the principal executive office of 3TEC, no later
than April 13, 2000 in order to be considered at the annual meeting.

     The April 3, 2000 press release is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1, and is
incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 7 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBIT

Exhibits.  The following exhibit is filed herewith:

  99.1     Press Release issued by the Registrant on April 3, 2000


                                   SIGNATURES

     In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the Registrant
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized.

                         3TEC Energy Corporation
                         (Registrant)

Date: April 3, 2000           By: /s/ Stephen W. Herod
                                 ---------------------------------------------
                                      Stephen W. Herod
                                      Executive Vice President and Chief
                                      Financial Officer



                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 99.1   Press Release dated April 3, 2000.

EX-99.1

                                                                    Exhibit 99.1


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE               FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                    STEVE W. HEROD
                                    713/ 821-7102
                                    sherod@3tecenergy.com



                            3TEC ENERGY CORPORATION
                         ANNOUNCES ANNUAL MEETING DATE


HOUSTON, TEXAS, APRIL 3, 2000 . . . 3TEC Energy Corporation (NASDAQ SmallCap:
TTEN) announced today that it has scheduled it's annual shareholders meeting for
May 24, 2000 at 10:00 a.m., at a location to be announced in 3TEC's proxy
statement that will be sent to shareholders.

3TEC Energy Corporation is engaged in the acquisition, development, production
and exploration of oil and natural gas, with properties geographically
concentrated in East Texas and the Gulf Coast region. 3TEC also owns significant
properties in the Permian and San Juan basins and in the Mid-Continent region.





The information contained in this press release may contain projections,
estimates and other forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A
of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. Although the Company believes that its expectations are based on
reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its goals will be
achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those included in the forward-looking statements include the timing and
extent of changes in commodity prices for oil and gas, environmental risks,
drilling, producing and operating risks, risks related to exploration and
development, uncertainties about the estimates of reserves, government
regulation, competition and the ability of the Company to meet its stated
business goals.