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):

                              September 20, 2001

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

DELAWARE                           0-21702                63-1081013
--------                           -------                ----------
(State or other jurisdiction       (Commission File       (IRS Employer
of incorporation)                  Number)                Identification No.)

              700 Milam Street, Suite 1100,  Houston, Texas 77002
             (Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

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

        Two Shell Plaza, 777 Walker, Suite 2400,  Houston, Texas 77002
                               (Former Address)


ITEM 5 - OTHER EVENTS

     3TEC Energy Corporation ("3TEC") announced September 20, 2001, that its
board of directors has authorized 3TEC to repurchase up to 1.5 million shares of
3TEC common stock. Management shall have the discretion to make the purchases in
the open market or otherwise until December 31, 2001 at a price not to exceed
$14.00 per share.

     The September 20, 2001 press release is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1, and
is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 7 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(c) Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed herewith:


99.1 Press Release issued by the Registrant on September 20, 2001


                                  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: September 24, 2001                   By: /s/ Floyd C. Wilson
                                              ---------------------------------
                                           Floyd C. Wilson
                                           Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
                                           of the Board



                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS

99.1 Press Release dated September 20, 2001.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

[LOGO] 3 TEC
       ENERGY CORPORATION

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                           P R E S S   R E L E A S E
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                       For further information contact:
                                            Shane Bayless
                                            713.821.7160
                                            sbayless@3tecenergy.com


                3TEC Energy Announces Stock Repurchase Program


Houston, Texas, September 20, 2001... 3TEC Energy Corporation ("3TEC") (NASDAQ:
TTEN) announced today that its Board of Directors has authorized the company to
repurchase up to 1.5 million shares of 3TEC common stock, which is approximately
10% of the company's currently outstanding common stock. Purchases will be made
on a discretionary basis in the open market or otherwise at times and amounts as
determined by management subject to market conditions, applicable legal
requirements and other factors.

3TEC Energy Corporation is engaged in the acquisition, development, production
and exploration of oil and natural gas, with properties geographically
concentrated in East and South Texas and the Gulf Coast 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, including the risk that significant
properties do not achieve projected results, risks related to exploration and
development including risks relating to the lack of economic drilling prospects,
the inability of the Company to achieve expected efficiencies in controlling
expenses, uncertainties about the estimates of reserves, government regulation,
competition and the ability of the Company to meet its stated business