UNITED STATES

                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                      Washington, D.C. 20549


                            FORM 12b-25       SEC File Number
                                                  1-12396

                                                CUSIP Number
                                                 07384R-30-9

                   NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING


For Period Ended:  March 31, 2000

(Check one):   Form 10-K   Form 20-F   Form 11-K   X  Form 10-Q
 Form N-SAR


If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked
above, identify the Item(s) to which the notification relates:

Not applicable

PART I - REGISTRANT INFORMATION

                        THE BEARD COMPANY
      (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                   Enterprise Plaza, Suite 320
                           5600 N. May
                 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma   73112
             (Address of principal executive office)


PART II - RULES 12b-25(b) AND (c)

If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable
effort or expense and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to
Rule 12b-25(b), the following should be completed. (Check box if
appropriate) X

     (a) The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III
of this form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort
or expense;

     (b) The subject quarterly report on Form 10-Q will be filed
on or before the fifth calendar day following the prescribed due
date; and

     (c) The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by
Rule 12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.

PART III - NARRATIVE

State below in reasonable detail the reasons why the Form 10-Q
could not be filed within the prescribed time period.

The Beard Company (the "Company") utilizes decentralized
accounting for the operations of several of the subsidiaries in
the consolidated group.  As a result of delays in closing the
books of accounts of a foreign company in which the Company has a
material equity investment more time is needed to prepare complete
and accurate consolidated financial statements.

The issues involved could not be resolved in time to meet the required
filing deadline.

PART IV - OTHER INFORMATION

(1) Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to
this notification

     Herb Mee, Jr.               405              842-2333
    President - Chief        (Area code)     (Telephone Number)
    Financial Officer
          (Name)

(2) Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or
15(d) or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 been filed?  If
answer is no, identify report(s).    X Yes    No

(3) Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of
operations from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year
will be reflected by the earnings statements to be included in
the subject report or portion thereof?   X Yes      No

If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both
narratively and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the
reasons why a reasonable estimate of the results cannot be made.

The Beard Company (the "Company") anticipates there may be a
significant change in results of operations from the three months
ended March 31, 1999 to the three months ended March 31, 2000.  The
Company presently anticipates that its results of operations for
the three months ended March 31, 2000 will reflect a loss of
$788,000 compared to a loss of $551,000 for the three months
ended March 31, 1999.  The Company is, however, finalizing the
accounting treatment of certain transactions between it and a company
in which the Company has a material equity investment.  Depending on
the final treatment, the impact of these transactions may not be
reflected in the above estimate.



                            SIGNATURES

     THE BEARD COMPANY has caused this notification to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                         By:     HERB MEE, JR.
                                 Herb Mee, Jr.
                                 President - Chief Financial Officer

Date:  May 15, 2000