SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                   Washington, D.C. 20549
                              
                          FORM 10-Q
                              
                              
/X/Quarterly  Report Pursuant to Section 13 or  15(d)of  the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 1996

                             or

/  /Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)of  the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Transition Period Ended ______________________

                    Commission File Number 0-13457


                Sterling Drilling Fund 1984-1
     (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

                          New York
      (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
                        organization)
                              
                         13-3234373
            (IRS employer identification number)

      One Landmark Square, Stamford, Connecticut  06901
    (Address and Zip Code of principal executive offices)

                       (203) 358-5700

    (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                       Not Applicable
   (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if
                 changed since last report)

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   / /
<PAGE>
Part I

Item 1.   Financial Statements
The following Financial Statements are filed herewith:

Balance Sheets - September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995.

Statements of Operations for the Nine and Three Months Ended September 30,
1996 and 1995.

Statements of Changes in Partners' Equity for the Nine and Three Months
Ended September 30, 1996 and 1995.

Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 and
1995.

Note to Financial Statements

Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations

1.   Liquidity -
The oil and gas industry is intensely competitive in all its phases.
There is also competition among this industry and other industries in
supplying energy and fuel requirements of industrial and residential
consumers.  It is not possible for the Registrant to calculate its
position in the industry as Registrant competes with many other
companies having substantially greater financial and other resources.
In accordance with the terms of the Prospectus, the General Partners
of the Registrant will make cash distributions of as much of the
Partnership cash credited to the capital accounts of the Partners as
the General Partners have determined is not necessary or desirable for
the payment of any contingent debts, liabilities or expenses or for
the conduct of the Partnership's business.  As of September 30, 1996,
the General Partners have distributed to the Limited Partners
$1,662,480.  Such cash distributions are equivalent to 18.00% of
original total Limited Partner capital contributions.
The  net proved oil and gas reserves of the Partnership are considered
to  be a primary indicator of financial strength and future liquidity.
The present value of unescalated estimated future net revenues (S.E.C.
case) associated with such reserves, discounted at 10%, as of December
31,  1995  was  approximately  $689,000 as compared to  $514,000  from
December 31, 1994.  The increase in undiscounted future net cash flows
for  the Partnership properties  was caused by higher year end  prices
in effect at December 31, 1995 compared to lower year end prices as of
December  31, 1994. There were no significant changes in the estimated
future  production  from  the  properties.   It  is  the  opinion   of
management, and the general consensus in the industry, that gas prices
are  unlikely  to  decline significantly below the December  31,  1995
price  in  the near future.  However, there can be no assurances  that
such price declines will not occur, and  will not pose a threat to the
Partnership's continued viability.

<PAGE>

2. Capital Resources -

The  Registrant was formed for the sole intention of drilling oil  and
gas  wells.  The Registrant entered into a drilling contract  with  an
independent  contractor in October 1984 for $7,750,000.   Pursuant  to
the  terms  of  this  contract thirty-two  wells  have  been  drilled,
resulting in thirty-two producing wells.

3.   Results of Operations -

Overall operating revenues decreased from $187,522 in 1995 to $176,337
in 1996. The partnership's overall gas production was increased
because of the partnership participation  in workovers on several of
its wells 1995. These wells  were chosen because it was determined
production could be increased or maintained for a longer period of
time. Some of the other partnership wells experienced  lower
production which could be attributed to a main line in the gathering
system experiencing a shut in due to maintenance by the gathering
system's operator to the line. This resulted in no production for
approximately twenty one days in August of 1996 on the wells that feed
into this main line. All repairs have been completed and the line is
no longer shut in. The partnership's oil production also experienced a
decline.  The combination of these three elements resulted in lower
overall revenue even though they were partially offset by higher
average gas and oil prices in 1996 compared to 1995. The partnership
was paid average spot market prices for its gas production during
1995.  For a twelve month period, beginning at the end of 1995, the
partnership has been selling a majority of its gas under a fixed price
contract. Spot prices tend to vary significantly between the peak
usage and slow usage periods.

Production expenses in 1996, of $89,807, were lower than 1995's
expenses of $ 91,949. Production expenses may be variable in nature,
vary with production volumes, or more typically the expenses are for
the general upkeep and maintenance of the wells and well sites for
both years.

General  and  administrative  expenses have  been  segregated  on  the
financial   statements  to  reflect  expenses  paid   to   PrimeEnergy
Management  Corporation(PEMC), a General Partner.  These expenses  are
charged  in  accordance with guidelines set forth in the  Registrant's
Management   Agreement  and  are  attributable  to  the  affairs   and
operations  of  the Partnership and shall not exceed an annual  amount
equal  to  5% of the limited partners capital contributions.   Amounts
related  to both 1995 and 1995 are substantially less than the amounts
allocable  to  the  Registrant under the Partnership  Agreement.   The
lower  amounts  reflect  management's  effort  to  limit  costs,  both
incurred  and  allocated to the Registrant. General and administrative
expenses remained stable and showed no significant change from 1995 to
1996.





<PAGE>

The   partnership  records  additional  depreciation,  depletion   and
amortization  to  the  extent that net capitalized  costs  exceed  the
undiscounted  future net cash flows attributable  to  the  partnership
properties. No additional depreciation, depletion or amortization  was
needed  in  1995 or in the three quarters of 1996. Although  the  1996
expense  is  lower than 1995, the expense recorded is consistent  with
the current basis of the partnership's properties.

PART II
Items 1 through 5 have been omitted in that each item is either
inapplicable or the answer is negative.Item .  Exhibits and Reports on
Form 8-K
The Partnership was not required to file any reports on Form 8-K and
no such form was filed during the period covered by this report.

Exhibit  27  -  Financial Data Schedule is attached to the  electronic
filing of this report.




<PAGE>
                          S I G N A T U R E S
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, Registrant has duly caused this report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                               Sterling Drilling Fund 1984-1
 November 8,  1996            BY: /S/Charles E. Drimal, Jr. 
 (DATE)                        ------------------------------
                                Charles E. Drimal, Jr.
                                General Partner


<PAGE>
                STERLING DRILLING FUND 1984-1
              (a New York Limited Partnership)
                       Balance Sheets
                              
                                     September 30,     December 31,
                                         1996              1995
                                      (unaudited)       (audited)
Assets                                                             
Current Assets:                                                    
  Cash and cash equivalents       $         14,693  $         1,401
  Due From Affiliates                        1,800           23,295
                                       -----------      -----------
      Total current assets                  16,493           24,696
                                                                   
Oil and Gas properties -                                           
successful efforts method:                                         
  Leasehold costs                          323,260          323,260
  Well and related facilities            7,578,550        7,566,712
   less accumulated                                                
    depreciation,                                                  
    depletion and amortization          (6,892,027)      (6,854,585)
                                       -----------      -----------
                                         1,009,783        1,035,387
                                       -----------      -----------
       Total assets               $      1,026,276  $     1,060,083
                                        ==========      ===========
                                                             
                                                             
                                                                   
 Partners' Equity                                                  
   Limited partners                      1,047,651        1,080,167
   General partners                        (21,375)         (20,084)
                                       -----------      -----------
         Total partners' equity   $      1,026,276  $     1,060,083
                                        ==========      ===========
                                                                           





See accompanying note to financial statements


<PAGE>
                STERLING DRILLING FUND 1984-1
              (a New York Limited Partnership)
                   Statement of Operations
                         (unaudited)
                              
                                   Nine Months Ended
                                   September 30, 1996

                               Limited     General      
                               Partners    Partners     Total
Revenue:                                                
Operating revenue           $    139,306      37,031 $    176,337
Interest income                      252          16          268
                                --------    --------      -------
  Total Revenue                  139,558      37,047      176,605
                                --------    --------      -------
                                                                 
Costs and Expenses:                                              
Production expense                70,948      18,859       89,807
General and administrative        29,627       7,876       37,503
 to a related party
General and administrative        13,214       3,513       16,727
Depreciation, depletion                                          
 and amortization                 35,195       2,247       37,442
                                --------    --------      -------
  Total Costs and Expenses       148,984      32,495      181,479
                                --------    --------      -------
  Net Income(loss)          $     (9,426)      4,552 $     (4,874)
                                ========    ========      =======
Net Income(loss)                                        
    per equity unit         $      (1.02)                
                                  ======                
                              
See accompanying note to financial statements
                              
<PAGE>
                              
                STERLING DRILLING FUND 1984-1
              (a New York Limited Partnership)
                   Statement of Operations
                         (unaudited)
                              
                                   Nine Months Ended
                                   September 30, 1995

                                 Limited    General         
                                Partners    Partners      Total
Revenue:                                                
Operating revenue             $   148,142     39,380 $    187,522
Interest income                     1,069         68        1,137
                                 --------   --------      -------
  Total Revenue                   149,211     39,448      188,659
                                 --------   --------      -------
                                                                 
Costs and Expenses:                                              
Production expense                 72,640     19,309       91,949
General and administrative                                       
 to a related party                29,627      7,876       37,503
General and administrative         13,511      3,592       17,103
Depreciation, depletion                                          
 and amortization                  50,505      3,224       53,729
                                 --------   --------      -------
  Total Costs and Expenses        166,283     34,001      200,284
                                 --------   --------      -------
  Net Income(loss)            $   (17,072)     5,447  $   (11,625)
                                 ========   ========      =======
Net Income(loss)                                        
    per equity unit           $     (1.85)               
                                   ======               
                              
                              
                              
See accompanying note to financial statements
                              
<PAGE>
                STERLING DRILLING FUND 1984-1
              (a New York Limited Partnership)
                   Statement of Operations
                         (unaudited)
                              
                                   Three Months Ended
                                   September 30, 1996

                                 Limited      General     
                                 Partners     Partners    Total
Revenue:                                                  
Operating revenue              $    41,626      11,066 $    52,692
Interest income                        135           9         144
                                  --------    --------    --------
  Total Revenue                     41,761      11,075      52,836
                                  --------    --------    --------
                                                                  
Costs and Expenses:                                               
Production expense                  23,513       6,250      29,763
General and administrative           9,875       2,626      12,501
 to a related party
General and administrative           3,704         985       4,689
Depreciation, depletion                                           
 and amortization                   11,828         756      12,584
                                  --------    --------    --------
  Total Costs and Expenses          48,920      10,617      59,537
                                  --------    --------    --------
  Net Income(loss)              $   (7,159)        458 $    (6,701)
                                  ========    ========    ========
Net Income(loss)                                                  
    per equity unit            $      (.77)
                                  ========                        
                              
                              
See accompanying note to financial statements
                              
                              
<PAGE>
                STERLING DRILLING FUND 1984-1
              (a New York Limited Partnership)
                   Statement of Operations
                         (unaudited)
                              
                                   Three Months Ended
                                   September 30, 1995

                               Limited     General      
                               Partners    Partners     Total
Revenue:                                                
Operating revenue           $     45,619      12,127 $       57,746
Interest income                      133           8            141
                                --------    --------       --------
  Total Revenue                   45,752      12,135         57,887
                                --------    --------       --------
                                                                   
Costs and Expenses:                                                
Production expense                21,977       5,841         27,818
General and administrative                                         
 to a related party                9,875       2,626         12,501
General and administrative         2,963         788          3,751
Depreciation, depletion                                            
 and amortization                 18,572       1,186         19,758
                                --------    --------       --------
  Total Costs and Expenses        53,387      10,441         63,828
                                --------    --------       --------
  Net Income(loss)           $    (7,635)      1,694 $       (5,941)
                                ========    ========       ========
Net Income(loss)                                                   
    per equity unit          $     (0.83)
                                ========                           


See accompanying note to financial statements




<PAGE>
                STERLING DRILLING FUND 1984-1
              (a New York Limited Partnership)
          Statement of Changes in Partners' Equity
                         (unaudited)
                              
                                   Nine Months Ended
                                   September 30, 1996


                               Limited     General      
                               Partners    Partners     Total
                                                        
Balance at beginning of                                            
period                      $  1,080,167     (20,084)  $   1,060,083
  Partners' Contribution               0         162             162
  Cash Distributions             (23,090)     (6,005)        (29,095)
  Net Income(Loss)                (9,426)      4,552          (4,874)
                               ---------    --------      ----------
Balance at end of period    $  1,047,651     (21,375)  $   1,026,276
                               =========    ========     ==========
                                            
                                            
                                   Nine Months Ended
                                   September 30, 1995

                              Limited      General      
                              Partners     Partners     Total
                                                        
Balance at beginning of                                           
period                      $  1,062,782     (37,434) $  1,025,348
  Partners' Contribution               0         161           161
  Cash Distributions             (23,090)     (5,888)      (28,978)
  Net Income(Loss)               (17,072)      5,447       (11,625)
                               ---------    --------    ----------
Balance at end of period    $  1,022,620     (37,714) $    984,906
                               =========    ========    ==========
                              
                              
                              
                              
                              
See accompanying note to financial statements

                              
<PAGE>
                STERLING DRILLING FUND 1984-1
              (a New York Limited Partnership)
          Statement of Changes in Partners' Equity
                         (unaudited)
                              
                                   Three Months Ended
                                   September 30, 1996


                               Limited        General       
                               Partners       Partners      Total
                                                            
Balance at beginning of                                              
period                       $    1,054,810     (21,995)  $ 1,032,815
  Partners' Contribution                  0         162           162
  Cash Distributions                      0           0             0
  Net Income(Loss)                   (7,159)        458        (6,701)
                                  ---------    --------     ---------
Balance at end of period     $    1,047,651     (21,375)  $ 1,026,276
                                  =========    ========     =========
                                            
                                            
                                   Three Months Ended
                                   September 30, 1995

                              Limited        General     
                              Partners       Partners    Total
                                                         
Balance at beginning of                                            
period                      $   1,030,255     (39,569)  $    990,686
  Partners' Contribution                0         161            161
  Cash Distributions                    0           0              0
  Net Income(Loss)                 (7,635)      1,694         (5,941)
                                ---------    --------      ---------
Balance at end of period    $   1,022,620     (37,714)  $    984,906
                                =========    ========      =========

                              
                              
                              
See accompanying note to financial statements
                              
                              
<PAGE>
                              
                STERLING DRILLING FUND 1984-1
              (a New York Limited Partnership)
                   Statement of Cash Flows
                         (unaudited)
                              
                                         Nine months    Nine months
                                            ended          ended
                                          September      September
                                          30, 1996        30, 1995
                                                        
Net cash provided by operating                                      
activities                            $       54,063  $       56,453
                                          ----------      ----------
Cash flows from financing activities:                               
  Partners' contributions                        162             161
  Distribution to partners                   (29,095)        (28,978)
                                         -----------      ----------
Net cash used in financing activities        (28,933)        (28,817)
                                         -----------     -----------
Cash flows from investing activities:                               
  Investment in wells and related                                   
  facilities                                 (11,838)        (55,516)
                                          ----------      ----------
Net cash used in investing activities        (11,838)        (55,516)
                                         -----------     -----------
                                                                    
Net increase(decrease) in cash and                                  
  cash equivalents                            13,292         (27,880)
Cash and cash equivalents at                                        
  beginning of period                          1,401          38,524
                                         -----------     -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of                                 
period                                $       14,693  $       10,644
                                         ===========     ===========
                                                        

see accompanying note to financial statements

<PAGE>
                STERLING DRILLING FUND 1984-1
              (a New York limited partnership)
                              
                Note to Financial Statements
                              
                     September 30, 1996



1. The accompanying statements for the period ending
September 30, 1996, are unaudited but reflect all
adjustments necessary to present fairly the results of
operations.  Certain reclassifications were made to the
prior periods' financial statements to conform to current
period presentation.