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):  February 5, 2001

                           HANOVER COMPRESSOR COMPANY
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

       Delaware                  1-13071                      76-0625124
(State of Incorporation)    (Commission File Number)      (I.R.S. Employer
                                                       Identification Number)


12001 N. Houston Rosslyn
Houston, Texas                                    77086
(Address of principal executive offices)        (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (281) 447-8787


ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

   (c)  Exhibits.

        99.1 Press release dated February 5, 2001


                                   SIGNATURES

   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.


                                    HANOVER COMPRESSOR COMPANY

Dated: February 5, 2001             By:  /s/  Michael J. McGhan
                                       --------------------------------
                                    Name:  Michael J. McGhan
                                    Its:   President and Chief Executive Officer


                                 EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit
 Number         Description
--------        -----------
  99.1          Press release dated February 5, 2001