FORM 10-K
                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                          WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
(Mark One)

[x]  Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
       Act of 1934 [Fee Required]

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996

                                    OR

[ ]  Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
       Exchange Act of 1934 [No Fee Required]

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number 0-15411

                 Southwest Royalties, Inc. Income Fund VI
                 (Exact name of registrant as specified in
                    its limited partnership agreement)

Tennessee                                                   75-2127812     
(State or other jurisdiction                             (I.R.S. Employer  
of incorporation or organization)                       Identification No.)

407 N. Big Spring, Suite 300, Midland, Texas                  79701        
(Address of principal executive office)                     (Zip Code)     

Registrant's telephone number, including area (915) 686-9927    

        Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

                                   None

        Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                       limited partnership interests

Indicate by check mark whether registrant (1) has filed reports required to
be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days:     Yes   x    No      

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K (229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and
will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive
proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this
Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.     [x]

The registrant's outstanding securities consist of Units of limited
partnership interests for which there exists no established public market
from which to base a calculation of aggregate market value.

The total number of pages contained in this report is 213.  The exhibit index
is found on page 47.

PAGE
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                             Table of Contents

Item                                                                   Page

                                  Part I

 1.   Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

 2.   Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

 3.   Legal Proceedings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. . . . . . . . 9

                                  Part II

 5.   Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related
      Stockholder Matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

 6.   Selected Financial Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

 7.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of
      Financial Condition and Results of Operations. . . . . . . . . . .12

 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. . . . . . . . . . . .19

 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
      on Accounting and Financial Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

                                 Part III

10.   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant . . . . . . . .35

11.   Executive Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
      and Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions . . . . . . . . . .41

                                  Part IV

14.   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports
      on Form 8-K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

      Signatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

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                                  Part I


Item 1.   Business

General
Southwest Royalties, Inc. Income Fund VI (the "Partnership" or "Registrant")
was organized as a Tennessee limited partnership on December 4, 1986.  The
offering of limited partnership interests began August 25, 1986, reached
minimum capital requirements on October 3, 1986 and concluded January 29,
1987.  The Partnership has no subsidiaries.

The Partnership has expended its capital and acquired interests in producing
oil and gas properties.  After such acquisitions, the Partnership has
produced and marketed the crude oil and natural gas produced from such
properties.  In most cases, the Partnership purchased royalty or overriding
royalty interests and working interests in oil and gas properties that were
converted into net profits interests or other nonoperating interests.  The
Partnership purchased either all or part of the rights and obligations under
various oil and gas leases.

The principal executive offices of the Partnership are located at 407 N. Big
Spring, Suite 300, Midland, Texas, 79701.  The Managing General Partner of
the Partnership, Southwest Royalties, Inc. (the "Managing General Partner")
and its staff of 245 individuals, together with certain independent
consultants used on an "as-needed" basis, perform various services on behalf
of the Partnership, including the selection of oil and gas properties and the
marketing of production from such properties.  H. H. Wommack, III, a
stockholder, director, President and Treasurer of the Managing General
Partner, is also a general partner.  The Partnership has no employees.

Principal Products, Marketing and Distribution
The Partnership has acquired and holds royalty interests and net profit
interests in oil and gas properties located in Texas, New Mexico, Wyoming,
Illinois, Colorado and Oklahoma.  All activities of the Partnership are
confined to the continental United States.  All oil and gas produced from
these properties is sold to unrelated third parties in the oil and gas
business.

The revenues generated from the Partnership's oil and gas activities are
dependent upon the current market for oil and gas.  The prices received by
the Partnership for its oil production depend upon numerous factors beyond
the Partnership's control, including competition, economic, political and
regulatory developments and competitive energy sources, and make it
particularly difficult to estimate future prices of oil and natural gas.

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The recent strength in the price of crude oil reflects a continued growth in
demand for energy.  The worldwide demand for oil continues to grow.  The
United States dependence on foreign oil reached a record 51% in 1996.  The
supply of oil is not keeping up with the demand on either a domestic or
worldwide economic basis.  Oil production in the United States fell for the
fifth straight year, dropping 1.8% to 6.45 million barrels per day in 1996. 
At the same time, economic recovery in the world economy continues to apply
upward pressure on demand.  Current oil consumption of over 70 million
barrels per day is growing on an annual basis.  This is especially acute in
the lesser developed countries as they move toward industrialization.  Supply
and demand for oil has moved very close to being in balance.  The lack of
excess capacity in the oil markets has helped push oil prices into the mid-
20's during 1996.

For the last several years, the natural gas industry in the United States has
been affected generally by a surplus in available natural gas and enhanced
delivery capability causing a general deterioration in natural gas prices. 
In 1996, natural gas prices recovered significantly after having been
adversely affected for many years by the chronic oversupply.  A colder than
normal 1995 and 1996 winter for most of the nation and a cold start for the
1996 and 1997 heating season has increased demand, while supplies have
declined creating a guarded optimism within the industry in regards to the
1997 gas price.  January 1997's gas price is the highest the industry has
seen since deregulation in 1985.

Following is a table of the ratios of revenues received from oil and gas
production for the last three years:

                                 Oil        Gas

                    1996         49%        51%
                    1995         48%        52%                           
                    1994         48%        52%


As the table indicates, the Partnership's revenue is almost evenly divided
between its oil and gas production, the Partnership revenues will be highly
dependent upon the future prices and demands for oil and gas.

Seasonality of Business
Although the demand for natural gas is highly seasonal, with higher demand in
the colder winter months and in very hot summer months, the Partnership has
been able to sell all of its natural gas, either through contracts in place
or on the spot market at the then prevailing spot market price.  As a result,
the volumes sold by the Partnership have not fluctuated materially with the
change of season.

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Customer Dependence
No material portion of the Partnership's business is dependent on a single
purchaser, or a very few purchasers, where the loss of one would have a
material adverse impact on the Partnership.  Four purchasers accounted for
63% of the Partnership's total oil and gas production during 1996:  Torch
Operating Company 28%, Scurlock Permian Corporation 14%, Aquila Southwest
Pipeline Corporation 11% and Enron Oil and Transportation Inc 10%.  Four
purchasers accounted for 62% of the Partnership's total oil and gas
production during 1995: Nustar Joint Venture, Aquila Southwest Pipeline,
Scurlock Permian Corp. and Enron Oil and Transportation purchased 27%, 14%,
11% and 10%, respectively.  Three purchasers accounted for 48% of the
Partnership's total oil and gas production during 1994:  Nustar Joint
Venture, Aquila Southwest Pipeline and Scurlock Permian Corp. purchased 22%,
15% and 11%, respectively.  All purchasers of the Partnership's oil and gas
production are unrelated third parties.  In the event any of these purchasers
were to discontinue purchasing the Partnership's production, the Managing
General Partner believes that a substitute purchaser or purchasers could be
located without undue delay.  No other purchaser accounted for an amount
equal to or greater than 10% of the Partnership's sales of oil and gas
production.

Competition
Because the Partnership has utilized all of its funds available for the
acquisition of net profits or royalty interests in producing oil and gas
properties, it is not subject to competition from other oil and gas property
purchasers.  See Item 2, Properties.

Factors that may adversely affect the Partnership include delays in
completing arrangements for the sale of production, availability of a market
for production, rising operating costs of producing oil and gas and complying
with applicable water and air pollution control statutes, increasing costs
and difficulties of transportation, and marketing of competitive fuels. 
Moreover, domestic oil and gas must compete with imported oil and gas and
with coal, atomic energy, hydroelectric power and other forms of energy.

Regulation

Oil and Gas Production - The production and sale of oil and gas is subject to
federal and state governmental regulation in several respects, such as
existing price controls on natural gas and possible price controls on crude
oil, regulation of oil and gas production by state and local governmental
agencies, pollution and environmental controls and various other direct and
indirect regulation.  Many jurisdictions have periodically imposed
limitations on oil and gas production by restricting the rate of flow for oil
and gas wells below their actual capacity to produce and by imposing acreage
limitations for the drilling of wells.  The federal government has the power
to permit increases in the amount of oil imported from other countries and to
impose pollution control measures.

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Various aspects of the Partnership's oil and gas activities are regulated by
administrative agencies under statutory provisions of the states where such
activities are conducted and by certain agencies of the federal government
for operations on Federal leases.  Moreover, certain prices at which the
Partnership may sell its natural gas production are controlled by the Natural
Gas Policy Act of 1978, the Natural Gas Wellhead Decontrol Act of 1989 and
the regulations promulgated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Environmental- The Partnership's oil and gas activities are subject to
extensive federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the
generation, storage, handling, emission, transportation and discharge of
materials into the environment.  Governmental authorities have the power to
enforce compliance with their regulations, and violations carry substantial
penalties.  This regulatory burden on the oil and gas industry increases its
cost of doing business and consequently affects its profitability.  The
Managing General Partner is unable to predict what, if any, effect compliance
will have on the Partnership.

Industry Regulations and Guidelines - Certain industry regulations and
guidelines apply to the registration, qualification and operation of oil and
gas programs in the form of limited partnerships. The Partnership is subject
to these guidelines which regulate and restrict transactions between the
Managing General Partner and the Partnership.  The Partnership complies with
these guidelines and the Managing General Partner does not anticipate that
continued compliance will have a material adverse effect on Partnership
operations.

Partnership Employees
The Partnership has no employees; however, the Managing General Partner has
a staff of geologists, engineers, accountants, landmen and clerical staff who
engage in Partnership activities and operations and perform additional
services for the Partnership as needed.  In addition to the Managing General
Partner's staff, the Partnership engages independent consultants such as
petroleum engineers and geologists as needed.  As of December 31, 1996, there
were 245 individuals directly employed by the Managing General Partner in
various capacities.

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Item 2.  Properties

In determining whether an interest in a particular producing property was to
be acquired, the Managing General Partner considered such criteria as
estimated oil and gas reserves, estimated cash flow from the sale of
production, present and future prices of oil and gas, the extent of
undeveloped and unproved reserves, the potential for secondary, tertiary and
other enhanced recovery projects and the availability of markets.

As of December 31, 1996, the Partnership possessed an interest in oil and gas
properties located in Jackson and Weld Counties of Colorado; Clinton,
Lawrence and Marion Counties of Illinois; Eddy County of New Mexico; Alfalfa,
Beaver, Caddo, Ellis, Garvin, Haskell, Leflore, Logan, McClain, Noble,
Pottawatomie, Roger Mills, Seminole, Woods and Woodward Counties of Oklahoma;
Brazos, Burleson, Crane, Eastland, Ector, Fayette, Gaines, Glasscock, Jim
Wells, Lee, Lipscomb, Martin, Midland, Mitchell, Moore, Nolan, Pecos, 
Reagan, Reeves, Roberts, Robertson, Sterling, Upton, Ward and Winkler
Counties of Texas; Crook and Freemont Counties of Wyoming.  These properties
consist of various interests in approximately 226 wells and units.

Due to the Partnership's objective of maintaining current operations without
engaging in the drilling of any developmental or exploratory wells, or
additional acquisitions of producing properties, there has not been any
significant changes in properties during 1996, 1995 and 1994.

Upon a determination by Management that they were either not profitable to
own or Management received an offer that exceeded the leases reserves, the
following leases were sold.

During 1996, nine leases were sold for approximately $16,400.  The IRT was
sold effective June 1995, Rocky Point Shallow, McMillian and NW 32 were sold
effective September 1995, Hendry, Worsham and Wilkinson were sold effective
April 1996 and the FNB and USA McBride were sold effective May 1996.  During
1995, six leases were sold for approximately $42,500.  The Moyer #2, Moyer
Gas Unit, Sparkman #2, McEntire, Terry and R.D. Jones were sold effective
November 1995.  During 1994, two leases were sold for approximately $1,800. 
The Anderson Unit was sold effective January 1994 and the Cline #1 was sold
effective September 1994.

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Significant Properties
The following table reflects the significant properties in which the
Partnership has an interest:

                          Date
   Name and            Purchased       No. of      Proved        Reserves*
   Location           and Interest     Wells      Oil (bbls)     Gas (mcf)

Mary Shirk            12/86 at 3%        7          68,473        483,428
Upton County,         to 50% net
Texas                 profits
                      interests

Mobil Amacker         7/87 at 23%       10          71,486      3,432,688
Tippet                to 100% net
Upton County,         profits
Texas                 interests

Enron/Rhoda           4/87 at 2%        43         415,494      1,512,202
Walker                to 100% net
Ward County,          profits
Texas                 interests

*The reserve estimates were prepared as of January 1, 1997, by Donald R.
Creamer, P.E., an independent registered petroleum engineer.  The reserve
estimates were made in accordance with guidelines established by the
Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 4-10(a) of Regulation S-
X.  Such guidelines require oil and gas reserve reports be prepared under
existing economic and operation conditions, price and costs, as of the date
the estimation is made.  Prices may include consideration of changes in
existing price provided only by contractual arrangements, but not on
escalations based upon future conditions.
 
An oil price of $24.16 per barrel was used in the preparation of the reserve
report as of January 1, 1997.  The West Texas Intermediate posted price at
December 31, 1996 of $24.25 was used as the beginning basis for the oil
price.  Oil price adjustments from $24.25 per barrel were made in the
individual evaluations to allow for the average difference between recent
prices actually received (current prices) and the West Texas Intermediate
posted price on the sales date.  This effectively adjusts for temperature,
gravity, transportation and impurities on an individual property basis to
arrive at a fair value for the selling price.

A gas price of $3.94 per mcf was used in the preparation of the reserve
report as of January 1, 1997.  The El Paso Permian Basin Index posted price
at December 31, 1996 of $3.59 was used as the beginning basis for the gas
price.  Gas price adjustments from $3.59 per mcf were made in the individual
evaluations to allow for the average difference between recent prices
actually received (current prices) and the El Paso Permian Basin Index posted
price on the sales date.  This effectively adjusts for temperature, gravity,
transportation and impurities on an individual property basis to arrive at a
fair value for the selling price.

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As also discussed in Part II, Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations, oil and gas prices were
subject to frequent changes in 1996.

The evaluation of oil and gas properties is not an exact science and
inevitably involves a significant degree of uncertainty, particularly with
respect to the quantity of oil or gas that any given property is capable of
producing.  Estimates of oil and gas reserves are based on available
geological and engineering data, the extent and quality of which may vary in
each case and, in certain instances, may prove to be inaccurate. 
Consequently, properties may be depleted more rapidly than the geological and
engineering data have indicated.  Unanticipated depletion, if it occurs, will
result in lower reserves than previously estimated; thus an ultimately lower
return for the Partnership.  Basic changes in past reserve estimates occur
annually.  As new data is gathered during the subsequent year, the engineer
must revise his earlier estimates.  A year of new information, which is
pertinent to the estimation of future recoverable volumes, is available
during the subsequent year evaluation.  In applying industry standards and
procedures, the new data may cause the previous estimates to be revised. 
This revision may increase or decrease the earlier estimated volumes. 
Pertinent information gathered during the year may include actual production 
and decline rates, production from offset wells drilled to the same geologic
formation, increased or decreased water production, workovers, and changes in
lifting costs, among others.  Accordingly, reserve estimates are often
different from the quantities of oil and gas that are ultimately recovered.

The Partnership has reserves which are classified as proved developed
producing, proved developed non-producing and proved undeveloped.  All of the
proved reserves are included in the engineering reports which evaluate the
Partnership's present reserves.

Because the Partnership does not engage in drilling activities, the
development of proved undeveloped reserves is conducted pursuant to farmout
arrangements with the Managing General Partner or unrelated third parties. 
Generally, the Partnership retains a carried interest such as an overriding
royalty interest under the terms of a farmout, or receives cash.

The Partnership or the owners of properties in which the Partnership owns an
interest can engage in workover projects or supplementary recovery projects,
for example, to extract behind the pipe reserves which qualify as proved
developed non-producing reserves.  See Part II, Item 7, Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

There are no material pending legal proceedings to which the Partnership is
a party.

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth
quarter of 1996 through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise.

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                                  Part II


Item 5.  Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
         Matters

Market Information
Limited partnership interests, or units, in the Partnership were initially
offered and sold for a price of $500.  Limited partner units are not traded
on any exchange and there is no public or organized trading market for them. 
The Managing General Partner has become aware of certain limited and sporadic
transfers of units between limited partners and third parties, but has no
verifiable information regarding the prices at which such units have been
transferred.  Further, a transferee may not become a substitute limited
partner without the consent of the Managing General Partner.

After completion of the Partnership's first full fiscal year of operations
and each year thereafter, the Managing General Partner has offered and will
continue to offer to purchase each limited partner's interest in the
Partnership, at a price based on tangible assets of the Partnership, plus the
present value of the future net revenues of proved oil and gas properties,
minus liabilities with a risk factor discount of up to one-third which may be
implemented at the sole discretion of the Managing General Partner.  However,
the Managing General Partner's obligation to purchase limited partner units
is limited to an expenditure of an amount not in excess of 10% of the total
limited partner units initially subscribed for by limited partners.  In 1996,
386 limited partner units were tendered to and purchased by the Managing
General Partner at an average base price of $183.01 per unit.  During 1995,
127 limited partner units were tendered to and purchased by the Managing
General Partner at an average base price of $151.46 per unit.  During 1994,
598 limited partner units were tendered to and purchased by the Managing
General Partner at an average base price of $157.34 per unit.  

Number of Limited Partner Interest Holders
As of December 31, 1996 there were 909 holders of limited partner units in
the Partnership.

Distributions
Pursuant to Article IV, Section 4.01 of the Partnership's Certificate and
Agreement of Limited Partnership "Net Cash Flow" is distributed to the
partners on a monthly basis.  "Net Cash Flow" is defined as "the cash
generated by the Partnership's investments in producing oil and gas
properties, less (i) General and Administrative Costs, (ii) Operating Costs,
and (iii) any reserves necessary to meet current and anticipated needs of the
Partnership, as determined at the sole discretion of the Managing General
Partner."

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During 1996, twelve monthly distributions were made totaling $1,138,887, with
$1,025,487 distributed to the limited partners and $113,400 to the general
partners.  For the year ended December 31, 1996, distributions of $51.27 per
limited partner unit were made, based upon 20,000 limited partner units
outstanding.  During 1995, twelve monthly distributions were made totaling
$1,009,341, with $910,141 distributed to the limited partners and $99,200 to
the general partners.  For the year ended December 31, 1995, distributions of
$45.51 per limited partner unit were made, based on 20,000 limited partner
units outstanding.  For the year ended December 31, 1994, twelve monthly
distributions were made totaling $815,000, with $733,500 distributed to the
limited partners and $81,500 to the general partners.  For the year ended
December 31, 1994, distributions of $36.68 per limited partner unit were
made, based upon 20,000 limited partner units outstanding.  

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

The following selected financial data for the years ended December 31, 1996,
1995, 1994, 1993 and 1992 should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements included in Item 8:

                                    Years ended December 31,
                     -----------------------------------------------------
                       1996       1995       1994       1993       1992
                       ----       ----       ----       ----       ----  
Revenues           $ 1,317,978  1,030,181  1,125,877  1,206,853  1,358,453

Net income             934,674    610,015    592,353    438,100    652,927

Partners' share
 of net income:

  General partners      93,468     61,001     59,235     43,810     65,293

  Limited partners     841,206    549,014    533,118    394,290    587,634

Limited partners'
 net income per 
  unit                   42.06      27.45      26.66      19.71      29.38

Limited partners' 
 cash distributions
  per unit               51.27      45.51      36.68      48.96      58.24

Total assets       $ 3,044,532  3,249,010  3,648,821  3,871,224  4,520,348

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Item 7.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
          Results of Operations

General
The Partnership was formed to acquire nonoperating interests in producing oil
and gas properties, to produce and market crude oil and natural gas produced
from such properties and to distribute any net proceeds from operations to
the general and limited partners.  Net revenues from producing oil and gas
properties are not reinvested in other revenue producing assets except to the
extent that producing facilities and wells are reworked or where methods are
employed to improve or enable more efficient recovery of oil and gas
reserves.  The economic life of the Partnership thus depends on the period
over which the Partnership's oil and gas reserves are economically
recoverable.

Increases or decreases in Partnership revenues and, therefore, distributions
to partners will depend primarily on changes in the prices received for
production, changes in volumes of production sold, lease operating expenses,
enhanced recovery projects, offset drilling activities pursuant to farmout
arrangements and on the depletion of wells.  Since wells deplete over time,
production can generally be expected to decline from year to year.

Well operating costs and general and administrative costs usually decrease
with production declines; however, these costs may not decrease
proportionately.  Net income available for distribution to the limited
partners has fluctuated over the past few years and is expected to fluctuate
in later years based on these factors.

Based on current conditions, management anticipates performing workovers
during the next five years to enhance production.  The Partnership has the
opportunity for potential increases with little decline.  Thereafter, the
Partnership could possibly experience a normal decline.

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Results of Operations

A.   General Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 1996 and 1995

The following table provides certain information regarding performance
factors for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995:

                                               Year ended
                                              December 31,       Increase
                                            1996       1995     (Decrease)
                                            ----       ----     ----------
Average price per barrel of oil         $     21.12      16.81     26%
Average price per mcf of gas            $      2.43       1.82     34%
Oil production in barrels                    56,200     60,500     (7%)
Gas production in mcf                       503,600    602,000    (16%)
Income from net profits interests       $ 1,312,524  1,024,661     28%
Partnership distributions               $ 1,138,887  1,009,341     13%
Limited partner distributions           $ 1,025,487    910,141     13%
Per unit distribution to limited
 partners                               $     51.27      45.51     13%
Number of limited partner units              20,000     20,000

Revenues

The Partnership's income from net profits interests increased to $1,312,524
from $1,024,661 for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively,
an increase of 28%.  The principal factors affecting the comparison of the
years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 are as follows:

1.  The average price for a barrel of oil received by the Partnership
    increased during the year ended December 31, 1996 as compared to the year
    ended December 31, 1995 by 26%, or $4.31 per barrel, resulting in an
    increase of approximately $260,800 in income from net profits interests. 
    Oil sales represented 49% of total oil and gas sales during the year
    ended December 31, 1996 as compared to 48% during the year ended December
    31, 1995.

    The average price for an mcf of gas received by the Partnership increased
    during the same period by 34%, or $.61 per mcf, resulting in an increase
    of approximately $367,200 in income from net profits interests.  

    The total increase in income from net profits interests due to the change
    in prices received from oil and gas production is approximately $628,000. 
    The market price for oil and gas has been extremely volatile over the
    past decade, and management expects a certain amount of volatility to
    continue in the foreseeable future.

2.  Oil production decreased approximately 4,300 barrels or 7% during the
    year ended December 31, 1996 as compared to the year ended December 31,
    1995, resulting in a decrease of approximately $90,800 in income from net
    profits interests.

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    Gas production decreased approximately 98,400 mcf or 16% during the same
    period, resulting in a decrease of approximately $239,100 in income from
    net profits interests.

    The total decrease in income from net profits interests due to the change
    in production is approximately $329,900.  The decrease is primarily
    attributable to property sales and two wells temporarily shut-in by the
    gas purchaser due to gas line problems.

3.  Lease operating costs and production taxes were 1% higher, or
    approximately $13,300 more during the year ended December 31, 1996 as
    compared to the year ended December 31, 1995.

Costs and Expenses

Total costs and expenses decreased to $383,304 from $420,166 for the years
ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, a decrease of 9%.  The
decrease is the result of lower general and administrative expense and
depletion expense.

1.  General and administrative costs consists of independent accounting and
    engineering fees, computer services, postage, and Managing General
    Partner personnel costs.  General and administrative costs decreased 2%
    or approximately $2,900 during the year ended December 31, 1996 as
    compared to the year ended December 31, 1995.

2.  Depletion expense decreased to $225,000 for the year ended December 31,
    1996 from $259,000 for the same period in 1995.  This represents a
    decrease of 13%.  Depletion is calculated using the units of revenue
    method of amortization based on a percentage of current period gross
    revenues to total future gross oil and gas revenues, as estimated by the
    Partnership's independent petroleum consultants.  

    A contributing factor to the decline in depletion expense between the
    comparative periods was the increase in the price of oil and gas used to
    determine the Partnership's reserves for January 1, 1997 as compared to
    1996.  Another contributing factor was due to the impact of revisions of
    previous estimates on reserves.  Revisions of previous estimates can be
    attributed to the changes in production performance, oil and gas price
    and production costs.  The impact of the revision would have decreased
    depletion expense approximately $32,000 as of December 31, 1995.

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B.   General Comparison of 1995 and 1994

The following table provides certain information regarding performance
factors for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994:

                                              Year ended
                                              December 31,       Increase
                                            1995       1994     (Decrease)
                                            ----       ----     ----------
Average price per barrel of oil         $     16.81      15.39      9%
Average price per mcf of gas            $      1.82       1.95     (7%)
Oil production in barrels                    60,500     75,700    (20%)
Gas production in mcf                       602,000    633,400     (5%)
Income from net profits interests       $ 1,024,661  1,119,251     (8%)
Partnership distributions               $ 1,009,341    815,000     24%
Limited partner distributions           $   910,141    733,500     24%
Per unit distribution to limited
 partners                               $     45.51      36.68     24%
Number of limited partner units              20,000     20,000

Revenues

The Partnership's income from net profits interests decreased to $1,024,661
from $1,119,251 for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively,
a decrease of 8%.  The principal factors affecting the comparison of the
years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994 are as follows:

1.   The average price for a barrel of oil received by the Partnership
     increased during the year ended December 31, 1995 as compared to the
     year ended December 31, 1994 by 9%, or $1.42 per barrel, resulting in an
     increase of approximately $107,500 in income from net profits interests. 
     Oil sales represented 48% of total oil and gas sales during the years
     ended December 31, 1995 and 1994.

     The average price for an mcf of gas received by the Partnership
     decreased during the same period by 7%, or $0.13 per mcf, resulting in
     a decrease of approximately $82,300 in income from net profits
     interests.  

     The net total increase in income from net profits interests due to the
     change in prices received from oil and gas production is approximately
     $25,200.  The market price for oil and gas has been extremely volatile
     over the past decade, and management expects a certain amount of
     volatility to continue in the foreseeable future.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
2.   Oil production decreased approximately 15,200 barrels or 20% during the
     year ended December 31, 1995 as compared to the year ended December 31,
     1994, resulting in a decrease of approximately $255,500 in income from
     net profits interests.

     Gas production decreased approximately 31,400 mcf or 5% during the same
     period, resulting in a decrease of approximately $57,100 in income from
     net profits interests.

     The net decrease in income from net profits interests due to the change
     in production is approximately $312,600.  The decrease is a result of
     increased downtime due to mechanical failures during 1995.

3.   Lease operating costs and production taxes were 15% lower, or
     approximately $197,600 less during the year ended December 31, 1995 as
     compared to the year ended December 31, 1994.  The decrease is a result
     of workover costs in 1994.

Costs and Expenses

Total costs and expenses decreased to $420,166 from $533,524 for the years
ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively, a decrease of 21%.  The
decrease is the result of a decrease in general and administrative costs and
depletion.

1.   General and administrative costs consists of independent accounting and
     engineering fees, computer services, postage, and Managing General
     Partner personnel costs.  General and administrative costs decreased 3%
     or approximately $5,400 during the year ended December 31, 1995 as
     compared to the year ended December 31, 1994.

2.   Depletion expense decreased to $259,000 for the year ended December 31,
     1995 from $367,000 for the same period in 1994.  This represents a
     decrease of 29%.  Depletion is calculated using the units of revenue
     method of amortization based on a percentage of current period gross
     revenues to total future gross oil and gas revenues, as estimated by the
     Partnership's independent petroleum consultants.  Consequently,
     depletion will fluctuate in direct relation to oil and gas revenues.  As
     noted above, oil and gas revenues declined due to a decline in gas
     prices and oil and gas production for the year ended December 31, 1995
     as compared to the same period for 1994.  Depletion reflected a
     comparable decline.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
C.   Revenue and Distribution Comparison

Partnership net income for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
was $934,674 in 1996, $610,015 in 1995 and $592,353 in 1994.  Excluding the
effects of depreciation, depletion and amortization, net income for the years
ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 would have been $1,159,674, $869,015
and $959,353, respectively.  Correspondingly, Partnership distributions for
the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 were $1,138,887, $1,009,341
and $815,000, respectively.  These differences are indicative of the changes
in oil and gas prices, production and properties during 1996, 1995 and 1994.

The sources for the 1996 distributions of $1,138,887 were oil and gas
operations of approximately $1,061,300 and property sales of approximately
$16,400, with the balance from available cash on hand at the beginning of the
period.  The sources for the 1995 distributions of 1,009,341 were oil and gas
operations of approximately $952,300 and property sales of approximately
$42,500, with the balance from available cash on hand at the beginning of the
period.  The sources for the 1994 distributions of $815,000 were oil and gas
operations of approximately $930,800 and property sales of approximately
$5,600, resulting in excess cash for contingencies or subsequent
distributions.

Total distributions during the year ended December 31, 1996 were $1,138,887
of which $1,025,487 was distributed to the limited partners and $113,400 to
the general partners. The per unit distribution to limited partners during
the same period was $51.27.  Total distributions during the year ended 1995
were $1,009,341 of which $910,141 was distributed to the limited partners and
$99,200 to the general partners.  The per unit distribution to limited
partners during the same period was $45.51. Total distributions during the
year ended 1994 were $815,000 of which $733,500 was distributed to the
limited partners and $81,500 to the general partners.  The per unit
distribution to limited partners during the same period was $36.68. 

Since inception of the Partnership, cumulative monthly cash distributions of
$13,307,498 have been made to the partners.  As of December 31, 1996,
$11,989,921 or $599.50 per limited partner unit, has been distributed to the
limited partners, representing a 120% return of the capital contributed.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Liquidity and Capital Resources

The primary source of cash is from operations, the receipt of income from net
profits interests in oil and gas properties.  The Partnership knows of no
material change, nor does it anticipate any such change.

Cash flows provided by operating activities were approximately $1,061,300 in
1996 compared to approximately $952,300 in 1995 and approximately $930,800 in
1994.  The primary source of the 1996 cash flow from operating activities was
profitable operations.

Cash flows provided by investing activities were approximately $16,400 in
1996 compared to approximately $42,500 in 1995 and approximately $5,600 in
1994.  The primary source of the 1996 cash flow from investing activities was
the sale of oil and gas properties.

Cash flows used in financing activities were approximately $1,139,200 in 1996
compared to approximately $1,009,100 in 1995 and approximately $815,000 in
1994.  The only use in financing activities was the distributions to
partners.

As of December 31, 1996, the Partnership had approximately $403,400 in
working capital.  The Managing General Partner knows of no unusual
contractual commitments and believes the revenue generated from operations
are adequate to meet the needs of the Partnership.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

                       Index to Financial Statements

                                                                       Page

Report of Independent Accountants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Balance Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Statements of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Statement of Changes in Partners' Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Statements of Cash Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Notes to Financial Statements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

PAGE
<PAGE>








                     REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


To the Partners
Southwest Royalties, Inc.
 Income Fund VI
Midland, Texas

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Southwest Royalties, Inc.
Income Fund VI as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related statements
of operations, changes in partners' equity and cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1996.  These financial
statements are the responsibility of the partnership's management.  Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based
on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. 
An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Southwest Royalties, Inc.
Income Fund VI as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.


                        JOSEPH DECOSIMO AND COMPANY
                        A Tennessee Registered Limited Liability Partnership


Chattanooga, Tennessee
March 14, 1997

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                 Southwest Royalties, Inc. Income Fund VI
                     (a Tennessee limited partnership)
                              Balance Sheets
                        December 31, 1996 and 1995


                                                        1996       1995
                                                        ----       ----
    Assets

Current assets:
 Cash and cash equivalents                         $    65,438     126,941
 Receivable from Managing General Partner              338,190     239,768
                                                     ---------   ---------
    Total current assets                               403,628     366,709
                                                     ---------   ---------
Oil and gas properties - using the full-cost
 method of accounting                                8,535,904   8,552,301
  Less accumulated depreciation, 
   depletion and amortization                        5,895,000   5,670,000
                                                     ---------   ---------
    Net oil and gas properties                       2,640,904   2,882,301
                                                     ---------   ---------
                                                   $ 3,044,532   3,249,010
                                                     =========   =========
    Liabilities and Partners' Equity

Current liability - Distribution payable           $       270         535
                                                     ---------   ---------
Partners' equity:
 General partners                                     (552,440)   (532,508)
 Limited partners                                    3,596,702   3,780,983
                                                     ---------   ---------
    Total partners' equity                           3,044,262   3,248,475
                                                     ---------   ---------
                                                   $ 3,044,532   3,249,010
                                                     =========   =========













                  The accompanying notes are an integral
                    part of these financial statements.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                 Southwest Royalties, Inc. Income Fund VI
                     (a Tennessee limited partnership)
                         Statements of Operations
               Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994


                                             1996       1995       1994
                                             ----       ----       ----
    Revenues

Income from net profits interests        $ 1,312,524  1,024,661  1,119,251
Interest                                       5,454      5,520      6,626
                                           ---------  ---------  ---------
                                           1,317,978  1,030,181  1,125,877
                                           ---------  ---------  ---------
     Expenses

General and administrative                   158,304    161,166    166,524
Depreciation, depletion and
 amortization                                225,000    259,000    367,000
                                           ---------  ---------  ---------
                                             383,304    420,166    533,524
                                           ---------  ---------  ---------
Net income                               $   934,674    610,015    592,353
                                           =========  =========  =========
Net income allocated to:

  Managing General Partner               $    84,121     54,901     53,311
                                           =========  =========  =========
  General partner                        $     9,347      6,100      5,924
                                           =========  =========  =========
  Limited partners                       $   841,206    549,014    533,118
                                           =========  =========  =========
    Per limited partner unit             $     42.06      27.45      26.66
                                           =========  =========  =========















                  The accompanying notes are an integral
                    part of these financial statements.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                 Southwest Royalties, Inc. Income Fund VI
                     (a Tennessee limited partnership)
                 Statement of Changes in Partners' Equity
               Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994


                                          General     Limited
                                          Partners    Partners     Total
                                          --------    --------     -----

Balance at December 31, 1993            $ (472,044)  4,342,492   3,870,448

  Net income                                59,235     533,118     592,353

  Distributions                            (81,500)   (733,500)   (815,000)
                                          --------  ----------   ---------
Balance at December 31, 1994              (494,309)  4,142,110   3,647,801

  Net income                                61,001     549,014     610,015

  Distributions                            (99,200)   (910,141) (1,009,341)
                                          --------  ----------  ----------
Balance at December 31, 1995              (532,508)  3,780,983   3,248,475

  Net income                                93,468     841,206     934,674

  Distributions                           (113,400) (1,025,487) (1,138,887)
                                          --------  ----------  ----------
Balance at December 31, 1996            $ (552,440)  3,596,702   3,044,262
                                          ========  ==========  ==========




















                  The accompanying notes are an integral
                    part of these financial statements.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                 Southwest Royalties, Inc. Income Fund VI
                     (a Tennessee limited partnership)
                         Statements of Cash Flows
               Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994


                                           1996        1995        1994
                                           ----        ----        ----
Cash flows from operating
 activities:

  Cash received from income
   from net profits interests         $ 1,213,980   1,108,756    1,090,471
  Cash paid to suppliers                 (158,182)   (161,988)    (166,324)
  Interest received                         5,454       5,520        6,626
                                       ----------  ----------    ---------
    Net cash provided by
     operating activities               1,061,252     952,288      930,773
                                       ----------  ----------    ---------
Cash provided by investing
 activities:

  Cash received from sale
   of oil and gas properties               16,397      42,477        5,634
                                       ----------  ----------    ---------
Cash used in financing
 activities:
 
  Distributions to partners            (1,139,152) (1,009,126)    (814,956)
                                       ----------  ----------    ---------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and
 cash equivalents                         (61,503)    (14,361)     121,451

  Beginning of year                       126,941     141,302       19,851
                                       ----------  ----------    ---------
  End of year                         $    65,438     126,941      141,302
                                       ==========  ==========    =========

                                                                (continued)










                  The accompanying notes are an integral
                    part of these financial statements.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                 Southwest Royalties, Inc. Income Fund VI
                     (a Tennessee limited partnership)
                    Statements of Cash Flows, continued
               Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994


                                               1996      1995      1994
                                               ----      ----      ----
Reconciliation of net income to net
 cash provided by operating activities:

Net income                               $   934,674   610,015    592,353

Adjustments to reconcile net income
 to net cash provided by operating
  activities:

  Depreciation, depletion and
   amortization                              225,000   259,000    367,000
  (Increase) decrease in receivables         (98,422)   83,973    (28,780)
  Increase (decrease) in payables                -        (700)       200
                                           ---------   -------    -------
Net cash provided by operating
 activities                              $ 1,061,252   952,288    930,773
                                           =========   =======    =======

























                  The accompanying notes are an integral
                    part of these financial statements.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                 Southwest Royalties, Inc. Income Fund VI
                     (a Tennessee limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

    Oil and Gas Properties
    Oil and gas properties are accounted for at cost under the full-cost
    method.  Under this method, all productive and nonproductive costs
    incurred in connection with the acquisition, exploration and development
    of oil and gas reserves are capitalized.  Gain or loss on the sale of oil
    and gas properties is not recognized unless significant oil and gas
    reserves are involved.

    The Partnership's policy for depreciation, depletion and amortization of
    oil and gas properties is computed under the units of revenue method. 
    Under the units of revenue method, depreciation, depletion and
    amortization is computed on the basis of current gross revenues from
    production in relation to future gross revenues, based on current prices,
    from estimated production of proved oil and gas reserves.

    Under the units of revenue method, the Partnership computes the provision
    by multiplying the total unamortized cost of oil and gas properties by an
    overall rate determined by dividing (a) oil and gas revenues during the
    period by (b) the total future gross oil and gas revenues as estimated by
    the Partnership's independent petroleum consultants.  It is reasonably
    possible that those estimates of anticipated future gross revenues, the
    remaining estimated economic life of the product, or both could be
    changed significantly in the near term due to the potential fluctuation
    of oil and gas prices or production.  The depletion estimate would also
    be affected by this change.

    Should the net capitalized costs exceed the estimated present value of
    oil and gas reserves, discounted at 10%, such excess costs would be
    charged to current expense.  As of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, the
    net capitalized costs did not exceed the estimated present value of oil
    and gas reserves.

    The Partnership's interest in oil and gas properties consists of net
    profits interests in proved properties located within the continental
    United States.  A net profits interest is created when the owner of a
    working interest in a property enters into an arrangement providing that
    the net profits interest owner will receive a stated percentage of the
    net profit from the property.  The net profits interest owner will not
    otherwise participate in additional costs and expenses of the property.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                 Southwest Royalties, Inc. Income Fund VI
                     (a Tennessee limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


    Estimates and Uncertainties
    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
    accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
    assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities
    and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the
    financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
    during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those
    estimates.

    Syndication Costs
    Syndication costs are accounted for as a reduction of partnership equity.

    Environmental Costs
    The Partnership is subject to extensive federal, state and local
    environmental laws and regulations.  These laws, which are constantly
    changing, regulate the discharge of materials into the environment and
    may require the Partnership to remove or mitigate the environmental
    effects of the disposal or release of petroleum or chemical substances at
    various sites.  Environmental expenditures are expensed or capitalized
    depending on their future economic benefit.  Costs which improve a
    property as compared with the condition of the property when originally
    constructed or acquired and costs which prevent future environmental
    contamination are capitalized.  Expenditures that relate to an existing
    condition caused by past operations and that have no future economic
    benefits are expensed.  Liabilities for expenditures of a non-capital
    nature are recorded when environmental assessment and/or remediation is
    probable, and the costs can be reasonably estimated.

    Gas Balancing
    The Partnership utilizes the sales method of accounting for gas-balancing
    arrangements.  Under this method the Partnership recognizes sales revenue
    on all gas sold.  As of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, the Partnership
    was under produced by 16,728, 17,104 and 6,435, mcf of gas, respectively.


<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                 Southwest Royalties, Inc. Income Fund VI
                     (a Tennessee limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


    Income Taxes
    No provision for income taxes is reflected in these financial statements,
    since the tax effects of the Partnership's income or loss are passed
    through to the individual partners.
    
    In accordance with the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting
    Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes", the Partnership's tax
    basis in its net oil and gas properties at December 31, 1996 and 1995 is
    $918,466 and $868,967, respectively, less than that shown on the
    accompanying Balance Sheets in accordance with generally accepted
    accounting principles.

    Cash and Cash Equivalents
    For purposes of the statements of cash flows, the Partnership considers
    all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three
    months or less to be cash equivalents.  The Partnership maintains its
    cash at one financial institution.

    Number of Limited Partner Units
    As of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, there were 20,000 limited partner
    units outstanding.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                 Southwest Royalties, Inc. Income Fund VI
                     (a Tennessee limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


2.  Organization
    Southwest Royalties, Inc. Income Fund VI was organized under the laws of
    the state of Tennessee on December 4, 1986, for the purpose of acquiring
    producing oil and gas properties and to produce and market crude oil and
    natural gas produced from such properties for a term of 50 years, unless
    terminated at an earlier date as provided for in the Partnership
    Agreement.  The Partnership sells its oil and gas production to a variety
    of purchasers with the prices it receives being dependent upon the oil
    and gas economy.  Southwest Royalties, Inc. serves as the Managing
    General Partner and H. H. Wommack, III, as the individual general
    partner.  Revenues, costs and expenses are allocated as follows:

                                                     Limited      General
                                                     Partners     Partners
                                                     --------     --------
    Interest income on capital contributions           100%          - 
    Oil and gas sales                                   90%         10%
    All other revenues                                  90%         10%
    Organization and offering costs (1)                100%          - 
    Amortization of organization costs                 100%          - 
    Property acquisition costs                         100%          - 
    Gain/loss on property disposition                   90%         10%
    Operating and administrative costs (2)              90%         10%
    Depreciation, depletion and amortization
     of oil and gas properties                          90%         10%
    All other costs                                     90%         10%

    (1)  All organization costs in excess of 3% of initial capital
         contributions will be paid by the Managing General Partner and will
         be treated as a capital contribution.  The Partnership paid the
         Managing General Partner an amount equal to 3% of initial capital
         contributions for such organization costs.

    (2)  Administrative costs in any year which exceed 2% of capital
         contributions shall be paid by the Managing General Partner and will
         be treated as a capital contribution.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                 Southwest Royalties, Inc. Income Fund VI
                     (a Tennessee limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


3.  Oil and Gas Properties
    Costs incurred in connection with the Partnership's oil and gas producing
    activities for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 are as
    follows:

                                            1996        1995        1994
                                            ----        ----        ----
    Depreciation, depletion and
     amortization                       $  225,000     259,000     367,000
                                           =======     =======     =======

    All of the Partnership's properties were proved when acquired.

4.  Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
    The Partnership is subject to various federal, state and local
    environmental laws and regulations which establish standards and
    requirements for protection of the environment.  The Partnership cannot
    predict the future impact of such standards and requirements, which are
    subject to change and can have retroactive effectiveness.  The
    Partnership continues to monitor the status of these laws and
    regulations.

    As of December 31, 1996, the Partnership has not been fined, cited or
    notified of any environmental violations and management is not aware of
    any unasserted violations which would have a material adverse effect upon
    capital expenditures, earnings or the competitive position in the oil and
    gas industry. However, the Managing General Partner does recognize by the
    very nature of its business, material costs could be incurred in the near
    term to bring the Partnership into total compliance.  The amount of such
    future expenditures is not determinable due to several factors, including
    the unknown magnitude of possible contaminations, the unknown timing and
    extent of the corrective actions which may be required, the determination
    of the Partnership's liability in proportion to other responsible parties
    and the extent to which such expenditures are recoverable from insurance
    or indemnifications from prior owners of the Partnership's properties.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                 Southwest Royalties, Inc. Income Fund VI
                     (a Tennessee limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


5.  Related Party Transactions
    A significant portion of the oil and gas properties in which the
    Partnership has an interest are operated by and purchased from the
    Managing General Partner.  As is usual in the industry and as provided
    for in the operating agreement for each respective oil and gas property
    in which the Partnership has an interest, the operator is paid an amount
    for administrative overhead attributable to operating such properties, 
    with such amounts to Southwest Royalties, Inc. as operator approximating
    $132,000, $116,000, and $123,000, for the years ended December 31, 1996,
    1995 and 1994, respectively.  In addition, the Managing General Partner
    and certain officers and employees may have an interest in some of the
    properties in which the Partnership also participates.

    Certain subsidiaries of the Managing General Partner perform various
    oilfield services for properties in which the Partnership owns an
    interest.  Such services aggregated approximately $18,000, $25,000 and
    $122,000, for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994,
    respectively, and the Managing General Partner believes that these costs
    are comparable to similar charges paid by the Partnership to unrelated
    third parties.

    Southwest Royalties, Inc., the Managing General Partner, was paid
    $144,000 during 1996, 1995 and 1994, as an administrative fee for
    indirect general and administrative overhead expenses.

    Receivables from Southwest Royalties, Inc., the Managing General Partner,
    of approximately $338,190 and $239,768 are from oil and gas production,
    net of lease operating costs and production taxes, as of December 31,
    1996 and 1995, respectively.

    In addition, a director and officer of the Managing General Partner is a
    partner in a law firm, with such firm providing legal services to the
    Partnership approximating $1,300, $1,000, and $2,000, for the years ended
    December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

6.  Major Customers and Significant Leases
    During 1996, four customers purchased 28%, 14%, 11% and 10% of the
    Partnership's oil and gas production.  During 1995, four customers
    purchased 27%, 14%, 11% and 10% of the Partnership's oil and gas
    production.  During 1994, three customers purchased 22%, 15%, and 11% of
    the Partnership's oil and gas production.  

    During 1996, one lease accounted for 16% of the Partnership's gross
    revenue.  During 1995, one lease accounted for 18% of the Partnership's
    gross revenue.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                 Southwest Royalties, Inc. Income Fund VI
                     (a Tennessee limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


7.  Estimated Oil and Gas Reserves (unaudited)
    The Partnership's interest in proved oil and gas reserves is as follows:

                                                  Oil (bbls)     Gas (mcf)
                                                  ----------     ---------
    Proved developed and undeveloped reserves -

    January 1, 1994                                630,000       4,596,000

      Revisions of previous estimates               80,000       1,227,000
      Production                                   (76,000)       (633,000)
                                                   -------       ---------
    December 31, 1994                              634,000       5,190,000

      Revisions of previous estimates               73,000         875,000
      Production                                   (60,000)       (602,000)
      Sale of minerals in place                     (1,000)        (62,000)
                                                   -------       ---------
    December 31, 1995                              646,000       5,401,000

      Revisions of previous estimates               87,000         933,000
      Production                                   (56,000)       (504,000)
      Sale of minerals in place                       -            (55,000)
                                                   -------       ---------
    December 31, 1996                              677,000       5,775,000
                                                   =======       =========

    Proved developed reserves - 

    
    December 31, 1994                              542,000       4,910,000
                                                   =======       =========
    December 31, 1995                              559,000       5,141,000
                                                   =======       =========
    December 31, 1996                              590,000       5,516,000
                                                   =======       =========

    All of the Partnership's reserves are located within the continental
    United States.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                 Southwest Royalties, Inc. Income Fund VI
                     (a Tennessee limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


7.  Estimated Oil & Gas Reserves (unaudited) - continued
    The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to
    proved oil and gas reserves at December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 is
    presented below:

                                             1996       1995        1994

     Future cash inflows, net of 
      production and development 
       costs                            $ 24,773,000 14,304,000 11,862,000
     10% annual discount for
      estimated timing of cash
       flows                              10,585,000  5,426,000  4,268,000
                                          ---------- ---------- ----------
     Standardized measure of
      discounted future net cash
       flows                            $ 14,188,000  8,878,000  7,594,000
                                          ========== ========== ==========

     The principal sources of change in the standardized measure of
     discounted future net cash flows for the years ended December 31, 1996,
     1995 and 1994 are as follows:

                                             1996       1995        1994

     Sales of oil and gas produced,
      net of production costs         $  (2,279,000) (1,679,000)(1,457,000)
     Changes in price                     6,157,000   1,644,000    559,000
     Revisions to estimated 
      production costs                      432,000    (532,000)   364,000
     Sales of minerals in place             (31,000)    (40,000)       -  
     Revisions of previous 
      quantities estimates                 (220,000)  1,130,000    761,000
     Accretion of discount                1,251,000     761,000    596,000
     Discounted future net 
      cash flows -
       Beginning of year                  8,878,000   7,594,000  6,771,000
                                         ----------  ---------- ----------
       End of year                    $  14,188,000   8,878,000  7,594,000
                                         ==========  ========== ==========

     Future net cash flows were computed using year-end prices and costs that
     related to existing proved oil and gas reserves in which the Partnership
     has mineral interests.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and
          Financial Disclosure

     None.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                                 Part III


Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

Management of the Partnership is provided by Southwest Royalties, Inc., as
Managing General Partner.  The names, ages, offices, positions and length of
service of the directors and executive officers of Southwest Royalties, Inc.
are set forth below.  Each director and executive officer serves for a term
of one year.  The present directors of the Managing General Partner have
served in their capacity since the Company's formation in 1983.

        Name                Age                      Position
--------------------        ---         -------------------------------------
H. H. Wommack, III          41          Chairman of the Board, President,
                                        Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer
                                        and Director

H. Allen Corey              41          Secretary and Director

Bill E. Coggin              42          Vice President and Chief Financial
                                        Officer

Richard E. Masterson        43          Vice President, Exploration and
                                        Acquisitions

Jon P. Tate                 39          Vice President, Land and Assistant
                                        Secretary

Joel D. Talley              35          Vice President, Acquisitions and
                                        Exploitation Manager

R. Douglas Keathley         41          Vice President, Operations

H. H. Wommack, III, is Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive
Officer, Treasurer, principal stockholder and a director of the Managing
General Partner, and has served as its President since the Company's
organization in August, 1983.  Prior to the formation of the Company, Mr.
Wommack was a self-employed independent oil producer engaged in the purchase
and sale of royalty and working interests in oil and gas leases, and the
drilling of exploratory and developmental oil and gas wells.  Mr. Wommack
holds a J.D. degree from the University of Texas from which he graduated in
1980, and a B.A. from the University of North Carolina in 1977.

H. Allen Corey, a founder of the Managing General Partner, has served as the
Managing General Partner's secretary and a director since its inception.  Mr.
Corey is President of Trolley Barn Brewery, Inc., a brew pub restaurant chain
based in the Southeast.  Prior to his involvement with Trolley Barn, Mr.
Corey was a partner at the law firm of Miller & Martin in Chattanooga,
Tennessee.  He is currently of counsel to the law firm of Baker, Donelson,
Bearman & Caldwell, with the offices in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Mr. Corey
received a J.D. degree from the Vanderbilt University Law School and B.A.
degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Bill E. Coggin, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has been with the
Managing General Partner since 1985.  Mr. Coggin was Controller for Rod Ric
Corporation of Midland, Texas, an oil and gas drilling company, during the
latter part of 1984.  He was Controller for C.F. Lawrence & Associates, Inc.,
an independent oil and gas operator also of Midland, Texas during the early
part of 1984.  Mr. Coggin taught public school for four years prior to his
business experience.  Mr. Coggin received a  B.S. in Education and a B.B.A.
in Accounting from Angelo State University.

Richard E. Masterson, Vice President, Exploration and Acquisitions, first
became associated with the Managing General Partner as a geological
consultant in 1985.  He was employed as a petroleum geologist by Grand Banks
Energy (1980-1985),  Monsanto (1977-1980) and Texaco, Inc. (1974-1976) prior
to joining the Managing General Partner.  Mr. Masterson is a member of the
Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists and the West Texas
Geological Society.  Mr. Masterson received his B.A. degree in Geology from
Trinity University.

Jon P. Tate, Vice President, Land and Assistant Secretary, assumed his
responsibilities with the Managing General Partner in 1989.  Prior to joining
the Managing General Partner, Mr. Tate was employed by C.F. Lawrence &
Associates, Inc., an independent oil and gas company, as Land Manager from
1981 through 1989.  Mr. Tate is a member of the Permian Basin Landman's
Association and received his B.B.S. degree from Hardin-Simmons University.

Joel D. Talley, Vice President, Acquisitions and Exploitation Manager,
assumed his responsibilities with the Managing General Partner on July 15,
1996.  Prior to joining the Managing General Partner, Mr. Talley was employed
for four (4) years by Merit Energy Company as Acquisitions Manager and then
as Region Manager over West Texas, New Mexico and Wyoming (1992-1996) and
eight (8) years by ARCO Oil & Gas Company in various engineering positions
(1984-1992).  Mr. Talley received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1984
from Texas A&M University.

R. Douglas Keathley, Vice President, Operations, assumed his responsibilities
with the Managing General Partner as a Production Engineer in October, 1992. 
Prior to joining the Managing General Partner, Mr. Keathley was employed for
four (4) years by ARCO Oil & Gas Company as senior drilling engineer working
in all phases of well production (1988-1992), eight (8) years by Reading &
Bates Petroleum Company as senior petroleum engineer responsible for drilling
(1980-1988) and two (2) years by Tenneco Oil Company as drilling engineer
responsible for all phases of drilling (1978-1980).  Mr. Keathley received
his B.S. in Petroleum Engineering in 1977 from the University of Oklahoma.

Key Employees

Accounting and Administrative Officer - Debbie A. Brock, age 44, assumed her
position with the Managing General Partner in 1991.  Prior to joining the
Managing General Partner, Ms. Brock was employed with Western Container
Corporation as Accounting Manager (1982-1990), Synthetic Industries (Texas),
Inc. as Accounting Manager (1976-1982) and held various accounting positions
in the manufacturing industry (1971-1975).  Ms. Brock received a B.B.A. from
the University of Houston.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Controller - Robert A. Langford, age 47, assumed his responsibilities with
the Managing General Partner in 1992.  Mr. Langford received his B.B.A.
degree in Accounting in 1975 from the University of Central Arkansas.  Prior
to joining the Managing General Partner,  Mr. Langford was employed with
Forest Oil Corporation as Corporate Coordinator, Regional Coordinator,
Accounting Manager.  He held various other positions from 1982-1992 and 1976-
1980 and was Assistant Controller of National Oil Company from 1980-1982.

Financial Reporting Manager - Bryan Dixon, C.P.A., age 30, assumed his
responsibilities with the Managing General Partner in 1992.  Mr. Dixon
received his B.B.A. degree in Accounting in 1988 from Texas Tech University
in Lubbock, Texas.  Prior to joining the Managing General Partner, Mr. Dixon
was employed as a Senior Auditor with Johnson, Miller & Company from 1991-
1992 and Audit Supervisor for Texas Tech University and the Texas Tech
University Health Sciences Center from 1988-1991.

Production Superintendent - Steve C. Garner, age 55, assumed his
responsibilities with the Managing General Partner as Production
Superintendent in July, 1989.  Prior to joining the Managing General Partner,
Mr. Garner was employed 16 years by Shell Oil Company working in all phases
of oil field production as operations foreman, one and one-half years with
Petroleum Corporation of Delaware as Production Superintendent, six years as
an independent engineering consultant, and one year with Citation Oil & Gas
Corp. as a workover, completion and production foreman.  Mr. Garner has
worked extensively in the Permian Basin oil field for the last 25 years.

Tax Manager - Carolyn Cookson, age 40, assumed her position with the Managing
General Partner in April, 1989.  Prior to joining the Managing General
Partner, Ms. Cookson was employed as Director of Taxes at C.F. Lawrence &
Associates, Inc. from 1983 to 1989, and worked in public accounting at
McCleskey, Cook & Green, P.C. from 1981 to 1983 and Deanna Brady, C.P.A. from
1980 to 1981.  She is a member of the Permian Basin Chapter of the Petroleum
Accountants' Society, and serves on its Board of Directors and is liaison to
the Tax Committee.  Ms. Cookson received a B.B.A. in accounting from New
Mexico State University.

Vice President, Marketing - Steve J. Person, age 38, joined the Managing
General Partner in 1989. Prior to joining the Managing General Partner, Mr.
Person served as Vice President of Marketing for CRI, Inc., and was
associated with Capital Financial Group and Dean Witter (1983).  He received
a B.B.A. from Baylor University in 1982 and an M.D.A. from Houston Baptist
University in 1987.

Investor Relations Manager - Sandra K. Flournoy, age 50, came to Southwest
Royalties, Inc. in 1988 from Parker & Parsley Petroleum, where she was
Assistant Manager of Investor Services and Broker/Dealer Relations for two
years.  Prior to that, Ms. Flournoy was Administrative Assistant to the
Superintendent at Greenwood ISD for four years.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
In certain instances, the Managing General Partner will engage professional
petroleum consultants and other independent contractors, including engineers
and geologists in connection with property acquisitions, geological and
geophysical analysis, and reservoir engineering.  The Managing General
Partner believes that, in addition to its own "in-house" staff, the
utilization of such consultants and independent contractors in specific
instances and on an "as-needed" basis allows for greater flexibility and
greater opportunity to perform its oil and gas activities more economically
and effectively.

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

The Partnership does not have any directors or executive officers.  The
executive officers of the Managing General Partner do not receive any cash
compensation, bonuses, deferred compensation or compensation pursuant to any
type of plan, from the Partnership.  The Managing General Partner received
$144,000 during 1996, 1995 and 1994 as an annual administrative fee.

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

There are no limited partners who own of record, or are known by the Managing
General Partner to beneficially own, more than five percent of the
Partnership's limited partnership interests.

The Managing General Partner owns a nine percent interest as a general
partner.  Through repurchase offers to the limited partners, the Managing
General Partner also owns 2,482 limited partner units, a 12.4% limited
partner interest.  The Managing General Partners total percentage interest
ownership in the Partnership is 20.2%.

No officer or director of the Managing General Partner owns Units in the
Partnership. H. H. Wommack, III, as the individual general partner of the
Partnership owns a one percent interest in the Partnership as a general
partner.  The officers and directors of the Managing General Partner are
considered beneficial owners of the limited partner units acquired by the
Managing General Partner by virtue of their status as such.  A list of
beneficial owners of limited partner units, acquired by the Managing General
Partner, is as follows:

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                                                    Amount and
                                                    Nature of      Percent
                         Name and Address of        Beneficial       of
  Title of Class          Beneficial Owner          Ownership       Class
-------------------  ---------------------------  ---------------  -------
Limited Partnership  Southwest Royalties, Inc.    Directly Owns     12.4%
 Interest            Managing General Partner     2,482 Units
                     407 N. Big Spring Street
                     Midland, TX  79701

Limited Partnership  H. H. Wommack, III           Indirectly Owns   12.4%
 Interest            Chairman of the Board,       2,482 Units
                     President, CEO, Treasurer
                     and Director of Southwest
                     Royalties, Inc., the
                     Managing General Partner
                     407 N. Big Spring Street
                     Midland, TX  79701

Limited Partnership  H. Allen Corey               Indirectly Owns   12.4%
 Interest            Secretary and Director of    2,482 Units
                     Southwest Royalties, Inc.,
                     the Managing General
                     Partner
                     633 Chestnut Street
                     Chattanooga, TN  37450-1800

Limited Partnership  Bill E. Coggin               Indirectly Owns   12.4%
 Interest            Vice President and CFO of    2,482 Units
                     Southwest Royalties, Inc.,
                     the Managing General
                     Partner
                     407 N. Big Spring Street
                     Midland, TX  79701

Limited Partnership  Richard E. Masterson         Indirectly Owns   12.4%
 Interest            Vice President, Exploration  2,482 Units
                     and Acquisitions of
                     Southwest Royalties, Inc.,
                     the Managing General
                     Partner
                     407 N. Big Spring Street
                     Midland, TX  79701

Limited Partnership  Jon P. Tate                  Indirectly Owns   12.4%
 Interest            Vice President, Land and     2,482 Units
                     Assistant Secretary of
                     Southwest Royalties, Inc.,
                     the Managing General
                     Partner
                     407 N. Big Spring Street
                     Midland, TX  79701

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                                                    Amount and
                                                    Nature of      Percent
                         Name and Address of        Beneficial       of
  Title of Class          Beneficial Owner          Ownership       Class
-------------------  ---------------------------  ---------------  -------
Limited Partnership  Joel D. Talley               Indirectly Owns   12.4%
 Interest            Vice President,              2,482 Units
                     Acquisitions and
                     Exploitation Manager of
                     Southwest Royalties, Inc.,
                     the Managing General
                     Partner
                     407 N. Big Spring Street
                     Midland, TX  79701

Limited Partnership  R. Douglas Keathley          Indirectly Owns   12.4%
 Interest            Vice President,              2,482 Units
                     Operations of Southwest
                     Royalties, Inc., the
                     Managing General
                     Partner
                     407 N. Big Spring Street
                     Midland, TX  79701

There are no arrangements known to the Managing General Partner which may at
a subsequent date result in a change of control of the Partnership.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

In 1996, the Managing General Partner received $144,000 as an administrative
fee.  This amount is part of the general and administrative expenses incurred
by the Partnership. 

In some instances the Managing General Partner and certain officers and
employees may be working interest owners in an oil and gas property in which
the Partnership also has a net profits interest.  Certain properties in which
the Partnership has an interest are operated by the Managing General Partner,
who was paid approximately $132,000 for administrative overhead attributable
to operating such properties during 1996.

Certain subsidiaries of the Managing General Partner perform various oilfield
services for properties in which the Partnership owns an interest.  Such
services aggregated approximately $18,000 for the year ended December 31,
1996.

The law firm of Miller & Martin, of which H. Allen Corey, an officer and
director of the Managing General Partner, is a partner, is counsel to the
Partnership.  Legal services rendered by Miller & Martin to the Partnership
during 1996 were approximately $1,300, which constitutes an immaterial
portion of that firm's business.  Subsequent to December 31, 1996, the
counsel to the Partnership, H. Allen Corey, became a partner in the law firm
Baker, Donelson, Bearman & Caldwell.

In the opinion of management, the terms of the above transactions are similar
to ones with unaffiliated third parties.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                                  Part IV


Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

          (a)(1)  Financial Statements:

                  Included in Part II of this report --

                  Report of Independent Accountants
                  Balance Sheets
                  Statements of Operations
                  Statement of Changes in Partners' Equity
                  Statements of Cash Flows
                  Notes to Financial Statements

             (2)  Schedules required by Article 12 of Regulation S-X are
                  either omitted because they are not applicable or because
                  the required information is shown in the financial
                  statements or the notes thereto.

             (3)  Exhibits:

                  4  (a)  Certificate and Agreement of Limited Partnership
                          of Southwest Royalties, Inc. Income Fund VI, dated
                          December 4, 1986.  (Incorporated by reference from
                          Partnership's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
                          December 31, 1986.)

                     (b)  First Amendment to Certificate and Agreement of
                          Limited Partnership of Southwest Royalties, Inc.
                          Income Fund VI, dated January 16,1987. 
                          (Incorporated by reference from Partnership's Form
                          10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1987.)

                     (c)  Corrected Second Amendment to Certificate and
                          Agreement of Limited Partnership of Southwest
                          Royalties, Inc. Income Fund VI, dated May 6, 1987. 
                          (Incorporated by reference from Partnership's Form
                          10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1987.)

                     (d)  Third Amendment to Certificate and Agreement of
                          Limited Partnership of Southwest Royalties, Inc. 
                          Income Fund VI, dated February 3, 1988
                          (Incorporated by reference from Partnership's Form
                          10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988.)

                     (e)  Fourth Amendment to Certificate and Agreement of
                          Limited Partnership of Southwest Royalties, Inc.
                          Income Fund VI, dated June 30, 1988 (Incorporated
                          by reference from Partnership's Form 10-K for the
                          fiscal year ended December 31, 1988.)

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                     (f)  Fifth Amendment to Certificate and Agreement of
                          Limited Partnership of Southwest Royalties, Inc.
                          Income Fund VI, dated December 30, 1988 (Incorpo-
                          rated by reference from the Partnership's Form 10-
                          K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988.)

                     (g)  Sixth Amendment to Certificate and Agreement of
                          Limited Partnership of Southwest Royalties, Inc.
                          Income Fund VI, dated as of March 19, 1990. 
                          (Incorporated by reference from the Partnership's
                          Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
                          1990.)

                     (h)  Seventh Amendment to Certificate and Agreement of
                          Limited Partnership of Southwest Royalties, Inc.
                          Income Fund VI, dated as of December 31, 1990. 
                          (Incorporated by reference from the Partnership's
                          Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
                          1990.)

                     (i)  Eighth Amendment to Certificate and Agreement of
                          Limited Partnership of Southwest Royalties, Inc.
                          Income Fund VI, dated as of September 30, 1991. 
                          (Incorporated by reference from the Partnership's
                          Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
                          1991.)

                     (j)  Ninth Amendment to Certificate and Agreement of
                          Limited Partnership of Southwest Royalties, Inc.
                          Income Fund VI, dated as of December 31, 1991. 
                          (Incorporated by reference from the Partnership's
                          Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
                          1992.)

                     (k)  Tenth Amendment to Certificate and Agreement of
                          Limited Partnership of Southwest Royalties, Inc.
                          Income Fund VI, dated as of March 31, 1992. 
                          (Incorporated by reference from the Partnership's
                          Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
                          1992.)

                     (l)  Eleventh Amendment to Certificate and Agreement of
                          Limited Partnership of Southwest Royalties, Inc.
                          Income Fund VI, dated as of June 30, 1992. 
                          (Incorporated by reference from the Partnership's
                          Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
                          1992.)

                     (m)  Twelfth Amendment to Certificate and Agreement of
                          Limited Partnership of Southwest Royalties, Inc.
                          Income Fund VI, dated as of November 23, 1992. 
                          (Incorporated by reference from the Partnership's
                          Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
                          1992.)

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                     (n)  Thirteenth Amendment to Certificate and Agreement
                          of Limited Partnership of Southwest Royalties,
                          Inc. Income Fund VI, dated as of April 22, 1993. 
                          (Incorporated by reference from the Partnership's
                          Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
                          1993.)

                     (o)  Fourteenth Amendment to Certificate and Agreement
                          of Limited Partnership of Southwest Royalties,
                          Inc. Income Fund VI, dated as of September 30,
                          1993.  (Incorporated by reference from the
                          Partnership's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
                          December 31, 1993.)

                     (p)  Fifteenth Amendment to Certificate and Agreement
                          of Limited Partnership of Southwest Royalties,
                          Inc. Income Fund VI, dated as of December 31,
                          1993.  (Incorporated by reference from the
                          Partnership's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
                          December 31, 1993.)

                     (q)  Sixteenth Amendment to Certificate and Agreement
                          of Limited Partnership of Southwest Royalties,
                          Inc. Income Fund VI, dated as of July 26, 1994. 
                          (Incorporated by reference from the Partnership's
                          Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
                          1994.)

                     (r)  Seventeenth Amendment to Certificate and Agreement
                          of Limited Partnership of Southwest Royalties,
                          Inc. Income Fund VI, dated as of January 18, 1995. 
                          (Incorporated by reference from the Partnership's
                          Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
                          1994.)

                     (s)  Eighteenth Amendment to Certificate and Agreement
                          of Limited Partnership of Southwest Royalties,
                          Inc. Income Fund VI, dated as of July 26, 1995.

                     (t)  Nineteenth Amendment to Certificate and Agreement
                          of Limited Partnership of Southwest Royalties,
                          Inc. Income Fund VI, dated as of January 29, 1996.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                     (u)  Twentieth Amendment to Certificate and Agreement
                          of Limited Partnership of Southwest Royalties,
                          Inc. Income Fund VI, dated as of April 30, 1996.

                     (v)  Twenty-First Amendment to Certificate and
                          Agreement of Limited Partnership of Southwest
                          Royalties, Inc. Income Fund VI, dated as of
                          September 30, 1996.

                  27  Financial Data Schedule

                  99  Limited Partners as of April 30, 1996
                      Limited Partners as of September 30, 1996

          (b)  There were no reports filed on Form 8-K during the quarter
               ended December 31, 1996.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                                Signatures


Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Partnership has duly caused this report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                          Southwest Royalties, Inc. Income Fund VI, a
                          Tennessee limited partnership


                          By:    Southwest Royalties, Inc., Managing
                                 General Partner


                          By:    /s/ H. H. Wommack, III
                                 -----------------------------
                                 H. H. Wommack, III, President


                          Date:  March 26, 1997


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Partnership and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


By:    /s/ H. H. Wommack, III         
       -----------------------------------
       H. H. Wommack, III, Chairman of the
       Board, President, Chief Executive
       Officer, Treasurer and Director


Date:  March 26, 1997


By:    /s/ H. Allen Corey                
       -----------------------------
       H. Allen Corey, Secretary and
       Director


Date:  March 26, 1997

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                               Exhibit Index


Item No.     Description                                           Page No.

14(a)(3)     Exhibit 4(u):  Twentieth Amendment to Certificate
             and Agreement of Limited Partnership of Southwest
             Royalties, Inc. Income Fund VI, dated as of
             April 30, 1996.                                       48

             Exhibit 4(v):  Twenty-First Amendment to Certificate
             and Agreement of Limited Partnership of Southwest
             Royalties, Inc. Income Fund VI, dated as of
             September 30, 1996.                                   50

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
This Instrument Prepared By:
J. Porter Durham, Jr.
Miller & Martin 
1000 Volunteer Building 
832 Georgia Avenue
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402

            TWENTIETH AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE AND AGREEMENT OF
             LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF SOUTHWEST ROYALTIES, INC.
              INCOME FUND VI, A TENNESSEE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

Pursuant to the Tennessee Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, 62-2-1204
of the Tennessee Code Annotated, and the provisions of the Tennessee Uniform
Limited Partnership Act, being formerly 61-2-101, et seq. of the Tennessee
Code Annotated, this Twentieth Amendment (the "Amendment") to the Certificate
and Agreement of Limited Partnership of Southwest Royalties, Inc.  Income VI
is executed to be effective as of the 30th day of April, 1996, by and between
H. H. WOMMACK, III, an individual ("General Partner"), SOUTHWEST ROYALTIES,
INC. ("Managing General Partner") (the Managing General Partner and the
General Partner, are hereinafter collectively referred to as "General
Partners"), and the General Partners as attorney-in-fact for those persons
and entities listed on Schedule 1 attached to this Amendment, whether
existing or additional limited partners (collectively the "Limited Partners")
and as attorney-in-fact for the Withdrawing Limited Partners, as defined
hereinafter.

WHEREAS, Southwest Royalties, Inc.  Income VI was organized as a Tennessee
limited partnership pursuant to an Agreement of Limited Partnership, as
amended from time to time, dated December 4, 1986 and recorded in Book 3280,
Page 726 in the Register's Office of Hamilton County, Tennessee (the
"Agreement"); and 

WHEREAS, the General Partners, Limited Partners and Withdrawing Limited
Partners desire to amend the Agreement in the manner set forth herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual rights and obligations
herein and other good and valuable consideration the receipt and legal
sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.   Schedule 1 to the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and
     replaced by the Schedule 1 attached hereto.  Those persons and entities
     which were formerly listed on Schedule 1 to the Agreement but which are
     not listed on the revised Schedule 1 attached hereto shall be defined
     collectively as the "Withdrawing Limited Partners."

2.   Except as provided herein, the Agreement is hereby constituted and
     acknowledged as the controlling Agreement of Southwest Royalties, Inc.
     Income Fund VI.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto acknowledge that they have executed
this Amendment to the Agreement to be effective as of the date first above
written.

               GENERAL PARTNERS:

               By:  /s/ H. H. Wommack, III
                    -----------------------------------
                    H. H. Wommack, III, General Partner

               By:  SOUTHWEST ROYALTIES, INC.
                    Managing General Partner

               By:  /s/ H. H. Wommack, III
                    -----------------------------------
                    H. H. Wommack, III, President
                             

               LIMITED PARTNERS:


               By:  General Partners, as attorneys-in-fact for the Limited
                    Partners listed on Schedule 1 attached hereto and those
                    Withdrawing Limited Partners removed from Schedule 1
                    under Powers of Attorney previously granted

               By:  /s/ H. H. Wommack, III
                    -----------------------------------
                    H. H. Wommack, III 

               By:  SOUTHWEST ROYALTIES, INC.
                    Managing General Partner

               By:  /s/ H. H. Wommack, III
                    -----------------------------------

STATE OF TEXAS      )
COUNTY OF MIDLAND   )

Personally appeared before me, /s/ Vonda L. Walker, Notary Public, H. H.
Wommack, III, with whom I am personally acquainted, and who acknowledged that
he executed the within instrument for the purposes therein contained for
himself and as the attorney-in-fact for the admitted and withdrawing Limited
Partners, and who further acknowledged that he is authorized by Southwest
Royalties, Inc., the Limited Partners and the Withdrawing Limited Partners to
execute this document on its and their behalf. 

Witness my hand, at office, this 16th day of May, 1996.

                    /s/ Vonda L. Walker
                    -----------------------------------
                    Notary Public

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
This Instrument Prepared By:
J. Porter Durham, Jr.
Miller & Martin 
1000 Volunteer Building 
832 Georgia Avenue
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402

          TWENTY-FIRST AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE AND AGREEMENT OF
             LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF SOUTHWEST ROYALTIES, INC.
              INCOME FUND VI, A TENNESSEE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

Pursuant to the Tennessee Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, 62-2-1204
of the Tennessee Code Annotated, and the provisions of the Tennessee Uniform
Limited Partnership Act, being formerly 61-2-101, et seq. of the Tennessee
Code Annotated, this Twenty-First Amendment (the "Amendment") to the
Certificate and Agreement of Limited Partnership of Southwest Royalties, Inc. 
Income VI is executed to be effective as of the 30th day of September, 1996,
by and between H. H. WOMMACK, III, an individual ("General Partner"),
SOUTHWEST ROYALTIES, INC. ("Managing General Partner") (the Managing General
Partner and the General Partner, are hereinafter collectively referred to as
"General Partners"), and the General Partners as attorney-in-fact for those
persons and entities listed on Schedule 1 attached to this Amendment, whether
existing or additional limited partners (collectively the "Limited Partners")
and as attorney-in-fact for the Withdrawing Limited Partners, as defined
hereinafter.

WHEREAS, Southwest Royalties, Inc. Income VI was organized as a Tennessee
limited partnership pursuant to an Agreement of Limited Partnership, as
amended from time to time, dated December 4, 1986 and recorded in Book 3280,
Page 726 in the Register's Office of Hamilton County, Tennessee (the
"Agreement"); and 

WHEREAS, the General Partners, Limited Partners and Withdrawing Limited
Partners desire to amend the Agreement in the manner set forth herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual rights and obligations
herein and other good and valuable consideration the receipt and legal
sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.   Schedule 1 to the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and
     replaced by the Schedule 1 attached hereto.  Those persons and entities
     which were formerly listed on Schedule 1 to the Agreement but which are
     not listed on the revised Schedule 1 attached hereto shall be defined
     collectively as the "Withdrawing Limited Partners."

2.   Except as provided herein, the Agreement is hereby constituted and
     acknowledged as the controlling Agreement of Southwest Royalties, Inc.
     Income Fund VI.

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<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto acknowledge that they have executed
this Amendment to the Agreement to be effective as of the date first above
written.

               GENERAL PARTNERS:

               By:  /s/ H. H. Wommack, III
                    -----------------------------------
                    H. H. Wommack, III, General Partner

               By:  SOUTHWEST ROYALTIES, INC.
                    Managing General Partner

               By:  /s/ H. H. Wommack, III
                    -----------------------------------
                    H. H. Wommack, III, President
                             

               LIMITED PARTNERS:


               By:  General Partners, as attorneys-in-fact for the Limited
                    Partners listed on Schedule 1 attached hereto and those
                    Withdrawing Limited Partners removed from Schedule 1
                    under Powers of Attorney previously granted

               By:  /s/ H. H. Wommack, III
                    -----------------------------------
                    H. H. Wommack, III 

               By:  SOUTHWEST ROYALTIES, INC.
                    Managing General Partner

               By:  /s/ H. H. Wommack, III
                    -----------------------------------

STATE OF TEXAS      )
COUNTY OF MIDLAND   )

Personally appeared before me, /s/ Vonda L. Walker, Notary Public, H. H.
Wommack, III, with whom I am personally acquainted, and who acknowledged that
he executed the within instrument for the purposes therein contained for
himself and as the attorney-in-fact for the admitted and withdrawing Limited
Partners, and who further acknowledged that he is authorized by Southwest
Royalties, Inc., the Limited Partners and the Withdrawing Limited Partners to
execute this document on its and their behalf. 

Witness my hand, at office, this 23rd day of October, 1996.

                    /s/ Vonda L. Walker
                    -----------------------------------
                    Notary Public

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                        AMENDMENTS FOLLOW AS EX-99

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