UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    Form 10-K

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

     |_|              TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE
                      SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                         Commission File Number 0-11311


                         MAY DRILLING PARTNERSHIP 1983-1
                         MAY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP 1983-1
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



                                                                     75-1896224
                  Texas                                              75-1896223
(State or other jurisdiction of                                (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                            Identification Number)
  4582 South Ulster Street Parkway
                  Suite 1700
              Denver, Colorado                                            80237
(Address of principal executive offices)                              (Zip Code)

     Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (303) 850-7373

     Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

                                                          Name of each exchange
Title of each class                                        on which registered
     None                                                          None

     Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

     Units of Participation, $1,000 Per Unit 
                    (Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all 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 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|

                                                   Page 1 of 24



<PAGE>



                                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:



                                                         Part of Form 10-K into
Document                                               which it is incorporated

The General Partnership Agreement and the Limited
Partnership Agreement filed as an Exhibit to
Registration Statement No. 0-11311                                    Part IV


                                                        -2-

<PAGE>



                                                      PART I


ITEM 1 - BUSINESS

May Drilling Partnership 1983-1 (the "Drilling or General  Partnership") and May
Limited  Partnership  1983-1 (the "Limited  Partnership")  were organized by May
Petroleum Inc. ("May") to explore for and develop oil and gas reserves primarily
in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Funds received from the sale and production of
oil and gas reserves are used to pay the obligations of the Limited Partnership.
Funds not required by the Limited Partnership as working capital are distributed
to the participants in the Drilling Partnership and the general partner.

The general  partner of the Limited  Partnership  is EDP  Operating,  Ltd.,
which is one of the operating  partnerships for Hallwood Energy Partners,  L. P.
("HEP").  The Drilling  Partnership  is the sole limited  partner of the Limited
Partnership. The Limited Partnership does not have any subsidiaries, nor does it
engage in any other kind of business.  The Limited  Partnership has no employees
and is operated by Hallwood  Petroleum,  Inc.  ("HPI"),  a subsidiary of HEP. In
February 1997, HPI employed 127 full-time employees.

Pursuant  to the terms of the  general  partnership  agreement  and the  limited
partnership  agreement,  HEP is  obligated,  from  time to time,  to  contribute
certain  amounts,  in property,  cash or unreimbursed  services,  to the Limited
Partnership.  As of December 31, 1996, all such required  contributions had been
made.

Participation in Expenses and Revenues

The principal expenses and revenues of the Limited Partnership are shared by the
general  partner  and the  Drilling  Partnership  as set forth in the  following
table.  The charges and credits to participants in the Drilling  Partnership are
shared  among the  participants  in  proportion  to their  ownership of units of
participation.


                                               Drilling               General
                                             Partnership              Partner

Abandonment expenses (1)                         99%                     1%
Noncapital expenses                              99%                     1%
Direct expenses                                  99%                     1%
Lease acquisition expenses                      100%
Capital expenses                                100%
Oil and gas revenues                            (2)                    (2)
Operating expenses                              (2)                    (2)
Special projects                                (2)                    (2)
General and administrative overhead             (2)                    (2)

     (1) Includes   expenses   that  would   otherwise  be  allocated  as  lease
         acquisition  expenses  and/or  capital  expenses  but  that  relate  to
         abandoned properties.

     (2) Such items were shared 70% by the Drilling  Partnership  and 30% by the
         general  partner until  December 31, 1984. As of December 31, 1984, and
         as of December 31 of each year thereafter, the sharing of such items is
         adjusted so the general partner's allocation equals the percentage that
         the amount of Limited  Partnership  expenses  allocated  to the general
         partner bears to the aggregate amount of Limited  Partnership  expenses
         allocated to the general partner and the Drilling Partnership,  plus 15
         percentage   points,  but  in  no  event  will  the  general  partner's
         allocation  exceed 50%.  The  sharing  ratio for each of the last three
         years was:



                                                        -3-

<PAGE>




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

Limited Partner                   57.7%              57.9%              58.1%
General Partner                   42.3%              42.1%              41.9%

In 1997, the sharing ratio will be 57.6% to the limited partner and 42.4% to the
general partner.

To  the  extent  that  the  characterization  of  any  expense  of  the  Limited
Partnership  depends on its deductibility  for federal income tax purposes,  the
proper  characterization  is determined by the general partner (according to its
intended  characterization  on the  Limited  Partnership's  federal  income  tax
return) in good faith at the time the expense is to be charged or credited. Such
characterization  will  control  related  charges  and  credits to the  partners
regardless of any subsequent  determination by the Internal Revenue Service or a
court of law that the reported  expenses should be otherwise  characterized  for
tax purposes.

Competition

Oil and gas must  compete with coal,  atomic  energy,  hydro-electric  power and
other  forms of energy.  See also  "Marketing"  for a  discussion  of the market
structure for oil and gas sales.

Regulation

Production and sale of oil and gas is subject to federal and state  governmental
regulations in a variety of ways including environmental regulations, labor law,
interstate  sales,  excise  taxes and federal,  state and Indian  lands  royalty
payments.  Failure  to  comply  with  these  regulations  may  result  in fines,
cancellation of licenses to do business and  cancellation  of federal,  state or
Indian leases.

The  production of oil and gas is subject to regulation by the state  regulatory
agencies in the states in which the Limited  Partnership  does  business.  These
agencies  make and enforce  regulations  to prevent  waste of oil and gas and to
protect the rights of owners to produce oil and gas from a common reservoir. The
regulatory  agencies  regulate  the amount of oil and gas  produced by assigning
allowable production rates to wells capable of producing oil and gas.

Federal Income Tax Considerations

The Limited Partnership and the General Partnership are partnerships for federal
income tax purposes.  Consequently,  they are not taxable entities;  rather, all
income, gains, losses,  deductions and credits are passed through and taken into
account by the  partners on their  individual  federal  income tax  returns.  In
general,  distributions are not subject to tax so long as such  distributions do
not exceed the partner's  adjusted tax basis. Any distributions in excess of the
partner's adjusted tax basis are taxed generally as capital gains.

Marketing

The oil and gas produced from the  properties  owned by the Limited  Partnership
has typically been marketed  through normal channels for such products.  Oil has
generally  been sold to  purchasers  at field  prices  posted  by the  principal
purchasers of crude oil in the areas where the producing properties are located.
The majority of the Limited  Partnership's  gas  production  is sold on the spot
market and is transported in intrastate and interstate  pipelines.  Both oil and
natural gas are purchased by refineries,  major oil companies,  public utilities
and other users and processors of petroleum products.



                                                        -4-

<PAGE>



Factors  which,  if they were to  occur,  might  adversely  affect  the  Limited
Partnership  include  decreases  in oil and gas prices,  the  availability  of a
market  for  production,  rising  operational  costs of  producing  oil and gas,
compliance  with and changes in  environmental  control  statutes and increasing
costs and difficulties of transportation.

Significant Customer

For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, purchases by the following
company  exceeded  10% of  the  total  oil  and  gas  revenues  of  the  Limited
Partnership:


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

Conoco Inc.                       89%                91%                64%

Although the Limited  Partnership  sells the majority of its  production  to one
purchaser,  there are numerous other  purchasers in the area, so the loss of its
significant  customer  would not  adversely  affect  the  Limited  Partnership's
operations.

Environmental Considerations

The  exploration  for, and  development  of, oil and gas involve the extraction,
production and transportation of materials which, under certain conditions,  can
be  hazardous or can cause  environmental  pollution  problems.  In light of the
present general interest in environmental  problems,  the general partner cannot
predict what effect  possible  future  public or private  action may have on the
business of the Limited  Partnership.  The general partner is continually taking
all actions it believes  necessary in its operations to ensure  conformity  with
applicable  federal,  state and  local  environmental  regulations  and does not
presently  anticipate  that  the  compliance  with  federal,   state  and  local
environmental  regulations  will have a material  adverse  effect  upon  capital
expenditures, earnings or the competitive position of the Limited Partnership in
the oil and gas industry.

Insurance Coverage

The Limited  Partnership is subject to all the risks inherent in the exploration
for,  and  development  of,  oil and gas,  including  blowouts,  fires and other
casualties. The Limited Partnership maintains insurance coverage as is customary
for  entities of a similar  size  engaged in  operations  similar to the Limited
Partnership's,  but  losses can occur  from  uninsurable  risks or in amounts in
excess of existing insurance  coverage.  The occurrence of an event which is not
insured  or not fully  insured  could have an adverse  impact  upon the  Limited
Partnership's earnings and financial position.


ITEM 2 - PROPERTIES

The Limited Partnership's oil and gas reserves are located in prospects in south
Louisiana.  The Limited  Partnership's  reserves are predominantly  natural gas,
which  accounts  for 90% of  estimated  future  gross  revenues  in the  Limited
Partnership's reserve report as of December 31, 1996.

Significant Prospects

At December 31, 1996, the following prospects accounted for approximately 89% of
the Limited  Partnership's proved oil and gas reserves.  Reserve quantities were
obtained from the December 31, 1996 reserve report  prepared by HPI's  petroleum
engineers.


                                                        -5-

<PAGE>



Boudreaux Prospect.  The Boudreaux prospect is located in Lafayette Parish,
Louisiana.  The Limited Partnership's interest in the prospect has remaining net
proved  reserves of 10,000 bbls of oil and 474,400 mcf of gas as of December 31,
1996, all of which are developed and producing at December 31, 1996. The Limited
Partnership's working interest in this prospect ranges up to 1.1%.

Meaux Prospect.  The Meaux prospect is located in Lafayette  Parish,  Louisiana.
The Limited  Partnership's  interest in the  prospect has  remaining  net proved
reserves of 100 bbls of oil and 37,300 mcf of gas as of December 31,  1996,  all
of which  are  developed  and  producing  at  December  31,  1996.  The  Limited
Partnership's working interest is 8.5%.


ITEM 3 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

For a description of legal proceedings affecting the Limited Partnership, please
refer to Item 8 - Note 4.


ITEM 4 - SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF STOCKHOLDERS

No matter was submitted to a vote of  participants  during the fourth quarter of
1996.


                                                      PART II


ITEM 5 -      MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
              MATTERS

     a)  The registrant's  securities consist of partnership interests which are
         not traded on any exchange and for which no established  public trading
         market exists.

     b)  As of December 31, 1996, there were approximately 363 holders of record
         of partnership interests in the Drilling Partnership.

     c)  Distributions  paid by the  Limited  Partnership  were as  follows  (in
         thousands):


                               General            Limited
                               Partner            Partner

       1996                       $88               $120
       1995                        18
       1994                        72                101



                                                        -6-

<PAGE>



ITEM 6 - SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                For the Limited Partnership
                                                          As of or for the Year Ended December 31,
                                                         -----------------------------------------
                                               1996              1995              1994              1993              1992
                                              ------            ------            ------            ------            -----
                                                                       (In thousands)

<S>                                          <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>   
Total revenues                               $  340           $  227            $  233            $  423            $  509
Oil and gas revenues                            333              222               227               419               507
Net income                                      179               37                27                49               173
Working capital                                 152              155               103               206               259
Total assets                                    413              440               425               676               675
Partners' capital                               391              420               401               547               648

</TABLE>

ITEM 7 -      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
              RESULTS  OF OPERATIONS

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Material changes in the Limited  Partnership's cash position for the years ended
December 31, 1996 and 1995 are summarized as follows:


                                                   1996               1995
                                                   ------             -----
                                                          (In thousands)

Cash provided by operating activities              $ 223               $ 53
Distributions to partners                           (208)               (18)
Additions to oil and gas properties                  (15)               (16)
                                                     ----                ---
Increase in cash                                  $                    $ 19
                                                     ====                ===

Cash provided by operating  activities in 1996 was used for distributions to the
general  partners  and  additions  to  oil  and  gas  properties.   The  Limited
Partnership  has net working  capital of $152,000 as of December 31, 1996.  This
working capital,  together with future net cash flows generated from operations,
may be used to fund future distributions.  Future distributions depend on, among
other things,  continuation of current or higher oil and gas prices, markets for
production and future development costs.

The Limited  Partnership's ability to generate funds adequate to meet its future
needs will be largely  dependent upon its ability to continue to further develop
its existing reserves. Proved reserves and discounted future net revenues valued
at year-end  prices  (discounted  at 10% and before  general and  administrative
expenses)  from proved  reserves  were  estimated at 11,000 bbls and 575,000 mcf
valued  at  $1,875,000  in 1996  and  12,000  bbls and  632,000  mcf  valued  at
$1,086,000  in 1995.  The  increase in  discounted  future net  revenues and the
fluctuation  in the quantities  resulted  primarily from an increase in year end
oil and gas prices as well as changes in the  estimated  rates of  production on
certain wells.



                                                        -7-

<PAGE>



Results of Operations

1996 Compared to 1995

Oil Revenue

Oil revenue  increased $5,000 during 1996 as compared with 1995 primarily due to
an  increase  in the  average oil price from $17.68 per barrel in 1995 to $21.67
per barrel in 1996,  partially offset by a 5% decrease in production as shown in
the  table  below.  The  decrease  in  production  is due to  normal  production
declines.

Gas Revenue

Gas revenue  increased  $106,000 during 1996 as compared with 1995. The increase
is due to an increase in the average gas price from $1.83 per mcf during 1995 to
$2.92 per mcf during 1996,  partially  offset by a 2% decrease in  production as
shown below.  The decrease in production  is primarily due to normal  production
declines.

The following  table  summarizes the Limited  Partnership's  share of production
from the Limited Partnership's significant properties for 1996 and 1995.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                            Net Production
                                                                           ---------------
                                                                 1996                                  1995
                                                                 ------                                -----
                                                          Oil                Gas                Oil                Gas
County, State and Well                                  (Bbls)              (Mcf)             (Bbls)              (Mcf)

     Lafayette, Louisiana
<S>                                                         <C>            <C>                    <C>            <C>   
         Hutchinson #1                                       45             14,023                 62             11,106
         Meaux Prospect
         --------------
         Richard #1                                         202             14,594                177             15,905
         Middle Bayou Cannes
         -------------------
         Duhon #1                                                                                   1                 14
         Boudreaux Prospect
         ------------------
         A. L. Boudreaux #1                               1,391             70,752              1,488             74,686
         G. S. Boudreaux Estate #1                           23              1,201                 28              1,460
         Hallwood Fontenot #1                                 9                917                  5                590

     Other Properties                                         5                305                  9                506
                                                        -------          ---------            -------          ---------
         Total Net Production                             1,675            101,792              1,770            104,267
                                                          =====            =======              =====            =======
</TABLE>

Interest Income

Interest  income  increased  $2,000  during 1996 as compared  with 1995 due to a
higher average cash balance during 1996.

Lease Operating

Lease  operating  expense  decreased  $5,000  during 1996 as compared  with 1995
primarily  due to  decreases in operating  expenses  resulting  from cost saving
measures implemented during 1996.

General and Administrative

General and  administrative  expenses  decreased $13,000 during 1996 as compared
with 1995  primarily  due to a decrease in the  allocation  of overhead from the
general partner.

                                                        -8-

<PAGE>



Depletion

Depletion expense decreased $8,000 during 1996 as compared with 1995 as a result
of decreased production and lower capitalized costs during 1996.

Litigation Settlement

Litigation  settlement  expense  during 1996  represents  the  settlement of the
Lamson lawsuit which is further discussed in Item 8 - Note 4.

1995 Compared to 1994

Oil Revenue

Oil revenue  increased $3,000 during 1995 as compared with 1994. The increase is
comprised of an increase in the average oil price from $16.03 per barrel in 1994
to $17.68 per barrel in 1995  combined with a 2% increase in production as shown
in the table  below.  The  increase  in  production  is due to  increased  state
allowable  production limits,  partially offset by normal production declines as
well as the temporary abandonment of one well and the sale of another during the
second quarter of 1994.

Gas Revenue

Gas revenue  decreased $8,000 during 1995 as compared with 1994. The decrease is
due to a decrease  in the  average  gas price from $2.14 per mcf during  1994 to
$1.83 per mcf during 1995,  partially  offset by a 12% increase in production as
shown below.  The increase in  production  is due to increased  state  allowable
production limits, partially offset by normal production declines as well as the
temporary  abandonment  of one well and the sale of  another  during  the second
quarter of 1994.

The following  table  summarizes the Limited  Partnership's  share of production
from the Limited Partnership's significant properties for 1995 and 1994.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                            Net Production
                                                                           ---------------
                                                              1995                                  1994
                                                             ------                                -----
                                                     Oil                Gas                Oil                Gas
County, State and Well                             (Bbls)              (Mcf)             (Bbls)              (Mcf)

     Lafayette, Louisiana
<S>                                                       <C>            <C>                    <C>            <C>   
         Hutchinson #1                                       62             11,106                 71             13,882
         Meaux Prospect
         --------------
         Richard #1                                         177             15,905                204             18,211
         Warwick Richard #1                                                                        19              1,011
         Middle Bayou Cannes
         -------------------
         Duhon #1                                             1                 14                 18              1,153
         Boudreaux Prospect
         ------------------
         A. L. Boudreaux #1                               1,488             74,686              1,390             56,959
         G. S. Boudreaux Estate #1                           28              1,460                 25              1,216
         Hallwood Fontenot #1                                 5                590                  2                220

     Other Properties                                         9                506                 10                523
                                                          -----            -------              -----             ------
         Total Net Production                             1,770            104,267              1,739             93,175
                                                          =====            =======              =====             ======
</TABLE>



                                                        -9-

<PAGE>



Lease Operating

Lease  operating  expense  decreased  $10,000  during 1995 as compared with 1994
primarily due to the sale of the Warwick Richard #1 during the second quarter of
1994 and the temporary abandonment of the Duhon #1.

Production Taxes

Production  taxes increased $6,000 during 1995 as compared with 1994 as a result
of the settlement of a lawsuit which resulted in lower  production  taxes during
1994.

General and Administrative

General and  administrative  expenses  decreased $23,000 during 1995 as compared
with 1994  primarily  due to a decrease in the  allocation  of overhead from the
general partner.

Depletion

Depletion  expense  increased  $7,000 during 1995 as compared with 1994 due to a
higher  depletion rate caused by the increase in oil and gas  production  during
1995.

Litigation Settlement

Litigation  settlement expense during 1995 primarily  represents amounts paid in
connection with the settlement of a royalty dispute on the Duhon #1 well.


                                                       -10-

<PAGE>




ITEM 8 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                           INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                                                                                               Page

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

<S>                                                                                                              <C>
     Independent Auditors' Report                                                                                12

     Balance Sheets at December 31, 1996 and 1995 -
         May Drilling Partnership 1983-1                                                                         13

     Balance Sheets at December 31, 1996 and 1995 -
         May Limited Partnership 1983-1                                                                          14

     Statements of Operations for the Years Ended
         December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 -
         May Limited Partnership 1983-1                                                                          15

     Statements of Changes in Partners' Capital for the Years Ended December 31,
         1996, 1995 and 1994 -
         May Limited Partnership 1983-1                                                                          16

     Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended
         December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 -
         May Limited Partnership 1983-1                                                                          17

     Notes to Financial Statements - May Drilling Partnership 1983-1
         and May Limited Partnership 1983-1                                                                   18-21

SUPPLEMENTAL OIL AND GAS RESERVE INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)                                                         22
</TABLE>



                                                       -11-

<PAGE>



                                           INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT



To the Partners of May Drilling Partnership 1983-1 and
     May Limited Partnership 1983-1:

We have audited the  financial  statements  of May Drilling  Partnership  1983-1
("General   Partnership")   and  May  Limited   Partnership   1983-1   ("Limited
Partnership")  as of December  31, 1996 and 1995 and for each of the three years
in the period ended December 31, 1996, listed in the accompanying  index at Item
8.  These  financial  statements  are the  responsibility  of the  Partnerships'
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,  such  financial  statements  present  fairly,  in all material
respects,  the  financial  position of the General  Partnership  and the Limited
Partnership  at December 31, 1996 and 1995,  and the results of  operations  and
cash flows of the Limited  Partnership for each of the three years in the period
ended  December  31,  1996 in  conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles.



DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Denver, Colorado
February 28, 1997



                                                       -12-

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                          MAY DRILLING PARTNERSHIP 1983-1
                                                  BALANCE SHEETS
                                                  (In thousands)



                                                                      December 31,                December 31,
                                                                          1996                         1995

ASSETS
<S>                                                                       <C>                         <C> 
Investment in May Limited Partnership 1983-1                              $179                        $207
                                                                           ===                         ===


PARTNERS' CAPITAL
Partners' Capital                                                         $179                        $207
                                                                           ===                         ===






<FN>

Note:    The  statements of  operations,  changes in partners'  capital and cash
         flows for May Drilling  Partnership  1983-1 are not  presented  because
         such  information  is  equal  to the  Limited  Partners'  share of such
         activity as presented in the May Limited  Partnership  1983-1 financial
         statements.  The May Drilling Partnership carries its investment in May
         Limited  Partnership  1983-1  on the  equity  method.  The May  Limited
         Partnership  1983-1 financial  statements should be read in conjunction
         with this balance sheet.

</FN>




















<FN>

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

</FN>
</TABLE>
                                                       -13-

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                          MAY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP 1983-1
                                                  BALANCE SHEETS
                                                  (In thousands)



                                                                      December 31,                December 31,
                                                                          1996                        1995

ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
<S>                                                                                <C>                          <C>   
     Cash and cash equivalents                                                     $   115                      $  115
     Accrued oil and gas revenues                                                       59                          52
     Due from affiliate                                                                                              8
                                                                                  --------                      ------
              Total                                                                    174                         175
                                                                                    ------                      ------

OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES, using the
     full cost method of accounting                                                  7,302                       7,287
         Less accumulated depletion                                                (7,063)                     (7,022)
                                                                                   ------                      ------
              Net oil and gas properties                                               239                         265
                                                                                    ------                      ------

TOTAL ASSETS                                                                       $   413                     $   440
                                                                                    ======                      ======

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
CURRENT LIABILITIES
     Accounts payable and accrued liabilities                                     $     17                     $    20
     Payable to affiliate                                                                5
                                                                                   -------
              Total                                                                     22                          20
                                                                                   -------                      ------

PARTNERS' CAPITAL
     General partner                                                                   212                         213
     Limited partner                                                                   179                         207
                                                                                    ------                      ------
              Total                                                                    391                         420
                                                                                    ------                      ------

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL                                            $   413                     $   440
                                                                                    ======                      ======















<FN>

                                   The     accompanying  notes  are an  integral
                                           part of the financial statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                                       -14-

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                          MAY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP 1983-1
                                             STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                               FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                                         (In thousands, except for Units)



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

REVENUES
<S>                                                                <C>                    <C>                   <C>    
     Oil revenue                                                   $    36                $    31               $    28
     Gas revenue                                                       297                    191                   199
     Interest income                                                     7                      5                     6
                                                                   -------                -------               -------
              Total                                                    340                    227                   233
                                                                    ------                 ------                ------

COSTS AND EXPENSES
     Lease operating                                                    33                     38                    48
     Production taxes                                                   13                     13                     7
     General and administrative                                         64                     77                   100
     Depletion                                                          41                     49                    42
     Litigation settlement                                               1                      4
     Professional services and other                                     9                      9                     9
                                                                   -------                -------               -------
              Total                                                    161                    190                   206
                                                                    ------                 ------                ------

NET INCOME                                                         $   179                $    37               $    27
                                                                    ======                 ======                ======

ALLOCATION OF NET INCOME:
     General Partner                                              $     87                $    28               $    22
                                                                   =======                 ======                ======
     Limited Partner                                              $     92               $      9              $      5
                                                                   =======                =======               =======
     Per initial $1,000 Limited Partner
         investment                                                 $19.52                 $ 1.91                $ 1.06
                                                                     =====                  =====                 =====
     Weighted average initial $1,000 Limited
         Partner investment units outstanding                        4,713                  4,713                 4,713
                                                                     =====                  =====                 =====
















<FN>

                                   The     accompanying  notes  are an  integral
                                           part of the financial statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                                       -15-

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                          MAY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP 1983-1
                                    STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL
                               FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                                                  (In thousands)



                                                            General                Limited
                                                            Partner                Partner                Total

<S>                                                                <C>                    <C>                   <C>   
BALANCE, December 31, 1993                                          $  253                 $  294                $  547
     Net income                                                         22                      5                    27
     Distributions                                                    (72)                  (101)                 (173)
                                                                    -----                  -----                 -----

BALANCE, December 31, 1994                                             203                    198                   401
     Net income                                                         28                      9                    37
     Distributions                                                    (18)                                         (18)
                                                                    -----                 -------               ------

BALANCE, December 31, 1995                                             213                    207                   420
     Net income                                                         87                     92                   179
     Distributions                                                    (88)                  (120)                 (208)
                                                                    -----                  -----                 -----

BALANCE, December 31, 1996                                          $  212                 $  179                $  391
                                                                     =====                  =====                 =====



























<FN>


                                   The     accompanying  notes  are an  integral
                                           part of the financial statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                                       -16-

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                          MAY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP 1983-1
                                             STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                               FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                                                  (In thousands)



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

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
<S>                                                                  <C>                  <C>                   <C>    
     Net income                                                      $ 179                $    37               $    27
     Adjustment to reconcile net income
         to net cash provided by operating
         activities:
              Depletion                                                 41                     49                    42
                                                                     -----                 ------                ------
                  Cash from operations before
                      working capital changes                          220                     86                    69

     Changes in assets and liabilities provided (used) cash:
         Accrued oil and gas revenues                                  (7)                   (21)                    42
         Due from affiliate                                              8                    (8)                   120
         Accounts payable and accrued
              liabilities                                              (3)                    (2)                 (107)
         Payable to affiliate                                            5                    (2)                     2
                                                                     -----                ------                 ------
                  Net cash provided by
                      operating activities                             223                     53                   126
                                                                     -----                 ------                 -----

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
     Proceeds from sale of oil and gas
         properties                                                                                                   7
     Additions to oil and gas properties                              (15)                   (16)                   (6)
                                                                   ------                 ------                ------
                  Net cash provided by (used in)
                      investing activities                            (15)                   (16)                     1
                                                                   ------                 ------                 ------

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
     Distributions to partners                                       (208)                   (18)                 (173)
                                                                    -----                 ------                 -----

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH
     AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                                                      19                  (46)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:

     BEGINNING OF YEAR                                                 115                     96                   142
                                                                     -----                 ------                 -----

     END OF YEAR                                                    $  115                 $  115               $    96
                                                                     =====                  =====                ======



<FN>

                                   The     accompanying  notes  are an  integral
                                           part of the financial statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                                       -17-

<PAGE>



                                         MAY DRILLING PARTNERSHIP 1983-1
                                                        AND
                                          MAY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP 1983-1

                                           NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


(1)  ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND OTHER MATTERS

         General Partnership

         May Drilling  Partnership  1983-1,  a Texas  general  partnership  (the
         "General Partnership"), was organized by May Petroleum Inc. ("May") for
         the purpose of oil and gas exploration  through May Limited Partnership
         1983-1 (the "Limited Partnership").  The General Partnership was formed
         on  May  31,  1983,  with  investors  ("Participants")  subscribing  an
         aggregate  of  $4,713,000  in  assessable   $1,000  units.   After  the
         expenditure  of  the  initial   contributions   of  the   Participants,
         additional mandatory assessments from each Participant are provided for
         under the terms of the general partnership agreement in an amount up to
         25% of the initial  contribution of the  Participant.  During 1984, May
         assessed the Participants 13% of initial contributions.
         No additional assessments have been made since 1984.

         The general partnership  agreement requires that the manager,  Hallwood
         Energy  Partners,  L.  P.  ("HEP"),  offer  to  repurchase  partnership
         interests  from  Participants  for cash at amounts to be  determined by
         appraisal  (as set forth in the  partnership  agreement) of the Limited
         Partnership's  net assets no later than  December 31, 1988,  and during
         each succeeding year, if such net assets are positive.  The manager has
         made  repurchase  offers in all years  since 1989 and intends to make a
         repurchase offer in 1997.

         As the General  Partnership is the sole limited  partner of the Limited
         Partnership,  its results of operations,  changes in partners'  capital
         and cash flows are equal to the limited  partner's share of the Limited
         Partnership's  results of operations,  changes in partners' capital and
         cash  flows as set forth  herein.  Therefore,  separate  statements  of
         operations,  changes  in  partners'  capital  and  cash  flows  are not
         presented for the General Partnership.

         Limited Partnership

         The Limited Partnership, a Texas limited partnership,  was organized by
         May  and  the  General  Partnership  for  the  purpose  of oil  and gas
         exploration and the production of crude oil,  natural gas and petroleum
         products. The Limited Partnership's oil and gas reserves are located in
         prospects  in south  Louisiana.  Among other  things,  the terms of the
         limited  partnership  agreement  (the  "Agreement")  give  the  general
         partner the authority to borrow funds. The Agreement also requires that
         the  general  partner's  total  capital  contributions  to the  Limited
         Partnership as of each year end, including  unrecovered general partner
         acreage and  equipment  advances,  must be  compared  to total  Limited
         Partnership   expenditures   from   inception  to  date,  and  if  such
         contributions  are less than 15% of such  expenditures,  an  additional
         contribution  in the amount of the deficiency is required.  At December
         31, 1996, no  additional  contributions  were  necessary to comply with
         this requirement.

         On June 30, 1987,  May sold to HEP all of its economic  interest in the
         Limited  Partnership  and  account  receivable  balances  due  from the
         Limited  Partnership.  HEP became the  general  partner of the  Limited
         Partnership in 1988.



                                                       -18-

<PAGE>



         Sharing of Costs and Revenues

         Capital costs, as defined by the Agreement, for commercially productive
         wells  and  the  costs  related  to the  organization  of  the  Limited
         Partnership  are borne by the  general  partner.  Noncapital  costs and
         direct  expenses,  as defined by the  Agreement,  are charged 1% to the
         general  partner  and 99% to the  limited  partner.  Oil and gas sales,
         operating expenses and general and  administrative  overhead are shared
         so that the general partner's allocation will equal the percentage that
         the amount of Limited Partnership  expenses,  as defined,  allocated to
         the  general   partner  bears  to  the  aggregate   amount  of  Limited
         Partnership  expenses  allocated to the general partner and the limited
         partner,  plus 15 percentage  points,  but in no event will the general
         partner's allocation exceed 50%. The sharing ratio for each of the last
         three years was as follows:


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

Limited Partner                  57.7%              57.9%              58.1%
General Partner                  42.3%              42.1%              41.9%

         Significant Customer

         For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994,  purchases by the
         following company exceeded 10% of the total oil and gas revenues of the
         Limited Partnership:


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

Conoco Inc.                         89%                 91%               64%

         Although the Limited  Partnership  sells the majority of its production
         to one purchaser,  there are numerous other  purchasers in the area, so
         the loss of its  significant  customer  would not adversely  affect the
         Limited Partnership's operations.

         Income Taxes

         No  provision  for federal  income  taxes is included in the  financial
         statements  of  the  Limited  Partnership  or the  General  Partnership
         because,  as  partnerships,  they are not subject to federal income tax
         and the tax effects of their  activities  accrue to the  partners.  The
         partnerships' tax returns, the qualification of the General and Limited
         Partnerships as partnerships  for federal income tax purposes,  and the
         amount of taxable  income or loss are subject to examination by federal
         and state taxing authorities. If such examinations result in changes to
         the  partnerships'  taxable  income or loss,  the tax  liability of the
         partners could change accordingly.

         Oil and Gas Properties

         The Limited  Partnership follows the full cost method of accounting for
         oil  and  gas  properties  and,  accordingly,   capitalizes  all  costs
         associated  with  the  exploration  and  development  of  oil  and  gas
         reserves.

         The capitalized costs of evaluated properties,  including the estimated
         future costs to develop proved reserves,  are amortized on the units of
         production  basis.  Full cost  amortization per dollar of gross oil and
         gas revenues was $.12 in 1996, $.22 in 1995 and $.19 in 1994.

         Capitalized  costs are  limited to an amount not to exceed the  present
         value of estimated  future net cash flows. No valuation  adjustment was
         required  in 1996,  1995 or 1994.  Significant  price  declines  in the
         future  could cause the Limited  Partnership  to  experience  valuation
         adjustments  and could reduce the amount of future cash flow  available
         for distributions and operations.

                                                       -19-

<PAGE>



         Generally no gains or losses are  recognized on the sale or disposition
         of oil and gas properties.  Maintenance and repairs are charged against
         income when incurred.

         Gas Balancing

         The Limited  Partnership  uses the sales method for  accounting for gas
         balancing.  Under  this  method,  the  Limited  Partnership  recognizes
         revenue on all of its sales of production,  and any over  production or
         under production is recovered at a future date.

         As of December 31, 1996, the net imbalance to the Limited Partnership's
         interest is not considered material.  Current imbalances can be made up
         with production from existing wells or from wells which will be drilled
         as offsets to current producing wells.

         Use of Estimates

         The preparation of the financial statements for the Limited Partnership
         and  General   Partnership  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 these
         estimates.

         Related Party Transactions

         Hallwood Petroleum,  Inc. ("HPI"), a subsidiary of the general partner,
         pays all costs and  expenses of  operations  and  receives all revenues
         associated with the Limited Partnership's properties. At month end, HPI
         distributes revenues in excess of costs to the Limited Partnership.

         The amount due to HPI as of December 31, 1996 was $5,000 and the amount
         due from  HPI was  $8,000  as of  December  31,  1995.  These  balances
         represent net revenues less operating costs and expenses.

         Cash Flows

         All highly liquid  investments  purchased with an original  maturity of
         three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents.

         Reclassifications

         Certain  reclassifications  have been made to prior  years'  amounts to
         conform to the classifications used in the current year.

(2)  GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE OVERHEAD

         HPI conducts the day to day operations of the Limited  Partnership  and
         other  affiliated  partnerships  of HEP.  The  costs of  operating  the
         entities are allocated to each entity based upon the time spent on that
         entity.  General and  administrative  overhead  allocated by HPI to the
         Limited Partnership totaled $56,000, $73,000, and $99,000 in 1996, 1995
         and 1994.



                                                       -20-

<PAGE>



(3)  INCOME TAXES

         As a result of the  differences in the accounting  treatment of certain
         items for  income  tax  purposes  as  opposed  to  financial  reporting
         purposes, primarily depreciation, depletion and amortization of oil and
         gas properties and the  recognition of intangible  drilling costs as an
         expense or capital item, the income tax basis of oil and gas properties
         differs  from the  basis  used for  financial  reporting  purposes.  At
         December 31, 1996 and 1995,  the income tax bases of the  Partnership's
         oil  and  gas  properties  were  approximately  $98,000  and  $108,000,
         respectively.


(4)  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         In June 1996,  the  Partnership  and the other  parties to the lawsuits
         styled Lamson Petroleum Corporation v. Hallwood Petroleum,  Inc. et al.
         settled the lawsuits.  The plaintiffs in the lawsuits  claimed they had
         valid  leases  covering  streets  and  roads  in the  units of the A.L.
         Boudreaux  #1 well,  G.S.  Boudreaux  #1 well,  Paul  Castille #1 well,
         Evangeline  Shrine  Club #1 well and Duhon #1 well,  which  represented
         approximately  3%  to  4%  of  the  Partnership's   interest  in  these
         properties,  and they were entitled to a portion of the production from
         the wells dating from February 1990. In the settlement, the Partnership
         and the plaintiffs  agreed to cross-convey  interests in certain leases
         to one  another,  and the  Partnership  agreed  to pay  the  plaintiffs
         $25,000. The Partnership has not recognized revenue attributable to the
         contested leases since January 1993. These revenues,  totaling $24,000,
         had been placed in escrow pending the  resolution of the lawsuits.  The
         excess of the cash paid over the  escrowed  amounts,  is  reflected  as
         litigation settlement expense in the accompanying financial statements.
         The  cross-conveyance  of the  interests  in the leases  resulted  in a
         decrease  in the  Partnership's  reserves  of  $15,000  in  future  net
         revenues, discounted at 10%.

                                                       -21-

<PAGE>



                                   SUPPLEMENTAL OIL AND GAS RESERVE INFORMATION
                                                    (Unaudited)


The following  tables contain certain costs and reserve  information  related to
the Limited Partnership's oil and gas activities. The Limited Partnership has no
long-term  supply  agreements  and all  reserves  are located  within the United
States.

Costs Incurred -


                                         For the Years Ended December 31,
                            1996                   1995                  1994
                           ------                 ------                -----
                                             (In thousands)

Development costs           $ 15                   $ 16                   $ 6
                             ===                    ===                   ===

Oil and Gas Reserves (valued at year-end prices discounted at 10%) -

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                           1996                            1995                            1994
                                                          ------                          ------                          -----
                                               Bbls            Mcf             Bbls            Mcf             Bbls            Mcf
                                                                                      (In thousands)

Total Proved Reserves:
<S>                                             <C>            <C>              <C>            <C>              <C>            <C>
     Beginning of period                        12             632              13             637              16             795
     Revisions to previous estimates             1              45               1              99             (1)            (56)
     Sale of reserves in place                                                                                                 (9)
     Production                                (2)           (102)             (2)           (104)             (2)            (93)
                                              ---            ----             ---            ----             ---           -----
         End of Period                          11             575              12             632              13             637
                                               ===            ====             ===            ====             ===            ====

Proved Developed Reserves:
         Beginning of period                    12             632              13             637              16             791
                                               ===            ====             ===            ====             ===            ====
         End of period                          11             575              12             632              13             637
                                               ===            ====             ===            ====             ===            ====
</TABLE>

Certain reserve value  information is provided  directly to partners pursuant to
the Agreement. Accordingly, such information is not presented herein.



                                                       -22-

<PAGE>



ITEM 9  -     DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
              DISCLOSURE

              None.


                                                     PART III


ITEM 10 -     DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

              The Drilling  Partnership  and Limited  Partnership are managed by
              affiliates of HEP and do not have directors or executive officers.


ITEM 11 -     EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

              The partnerships  pay no salaries or other direct  remuneration to
              officers,  directors or key  employees  of the general  partner or
              HPI. The Limited  Partnership  reimburses the general  partner for
              general  and  administrative  costs  incurred  on  behalf  of  the
              partnerships. See Note 2 to the Financial Statements.


ITEM 12 -     SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

              To the knowledge of the general partner,  no person owns of record
              or  beneficially  more  than  5%  of  the  Drilling  Partnership's
              outstanding units, other than HEP, the address of which is 4582 S.
              Ulster  Street  Parkway,   Denver,   Colorado  80237,   and  which
              beneficially owns  approximately  38.8% of the outstanding  units.
              The general partner of HEP is HEPGP Ltd.


ITEM 13 -     CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

              For  information  with respect to the Limited  Partnership and its
              relationships and transactions with the general partner,  see Part
              I, Item 1 and Part II, Item 7.


                                                      PART IV


ITEM 14 -     EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

         a.   Financial Statements and Schedules:
              See Index at Item 8.

         b.   Reports on Form 8-K - None.

         c.   Exhibits:

     3.1 The General Partnership Agreement and the Limited Partnership Agreement
         filed as an Exhibit to  Registration  Statement No.  0-11311,  are  
         incorporated herein by reference.


                                                       -23-

<PAGE>


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the  requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934,  as amended,  the  Partnerships  have duly caused this report to be
signed on their behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                         MAY DRILLING PARTNERSHIP 1983-1
                         MAY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP 1983-1
                                  By:      EDP OPERATING, LTD., GENERAL PARTNER
                                  By:      HALLWOOD G.P., Inc.
                                            General Partner



                           By: /s/William L. Guzzetti
                               William L. Guzzetti
                               President, Chief Executive Officer and Director


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  registrant and
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


Signature                     Title                           Date



/s/Robert S. Pfeiffer     Vice President                      February 28, 1997
-----------------------  -----------------
Robert S. Pfeiffer                                (Principal Accounting Officer)


DOC\MAY83-1K.DOC
                                                       -24-

<PAGE>