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


                                    FORM 10-Q


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


                For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2000



                          Commission File No. 2-81398A


                           PARKER & PARSLEY 83-A, LTD.
                          -----------------------------
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

                             Texas                            75-1891384
          --------------------------------------------  ---------------------
                (State or other jurisdiction of           (I.R.S. Employer
                 incorporation or organization)         Identification Number)

1400 Williams Square West, 5205 N. O'Connor Blvd., Irving, Texas     75039
----------------------------------------------------------------   ----------
            (Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip code)

       Registrant's Telephone Number, including area code : (972) 444-9001


       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>



                           PARKER & PARSLEY 83-A, LTD.

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                      Page
                          Part I. Financial Information

Item 1.    Financial Statements

           Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2000 and
              December 31, 1999.....................................    3

           Statements of Operations for the three and nine
             months ended September 30, 2000 and 1999...............    4

           Statement of Partners' capital for the nine months
             ended September 30, 2000...............................    5

           Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended
             September 30, 2000 and 1999............................    6

           Notes to Financial Statements............................    7

Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
             Condition and Results of Operations....................    7


                           Part II. Other Information

Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.........................   10

           27.1   Financial Data Schedule

           Signatures...............................................   11




                                        2

<PAGE>



                           PARKER & PARSLEY 83-A, LTD.
                          (A Texas Limited Partnership)

                          Part I. Financial Information


Item 1.      Financial Statements
<TABLE>

                                 BALANCE SHEETS
<CAPTION>

                                                 September 30,   December 31,
                                                     2000           1999
                                                 ------------    ------------
                                                 (Unaudited)
                 ASSETS

<S>                                              <C>             <C>
Current assets:
  Cash                                           $    186,399    $    143,823
  Accounts receivable - oil and gas sales             225,607         189,995
                                                  -----------     -----------
        Total current assets                          412,006         333,818
                                                  -----------     -----------
Oil and gas properties - at cost, based on the
  successful efforts accounting method             16,898,304      16,892,307
Accumulated depletion                             (15,601,576)    (15,541,219)
                                                  -----------     -----------
        Net oil and gas properties                  1,296,728       1,351,088
                                                  -----------     -----------
                                                 $  1,708,734    $  1,684,906
                                                  ===========     ===========
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL

Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable - affiliate                   $     58,857    $     32,852

Partners' capital:
  General partners                                    189,108         182,491
  Limited partners (19,505 interests)               1,460,769       1,469,563
                                                  -----------     -----------
                                                    1,649,877       1,652,054
                                                  -----------     -----------
                                                 $  1,708,734    $  1,684,906
                                                  ===========     ===========
</TABLE>



The financial information included as of September 30, 2000 has been prepared by
 the managing general partner without audit by independent public accountants.

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

                                        3

<PAGE>



                           PARKER & PARSLEY 83-A, LTD.
                          (A Texas Limited Partnership)

                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE>

<CAPTION>

                                   Three months ended          Nine months ended
                                      September 30,               September 30,
                                ------------------------    ------------------------
                                   2000          1999          2000          1999
                                ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
<S>                             <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Revenues:
  Oil and gas                   $  500,331    $  374,150    $1,365,167    $  814,126
  Interest                           3,991         2,031         9,415         4,262
                                 ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
                                   504,322       376,181     1,374,582       818,388
                                 ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
Costs and expenses:
  Oil and gas production           210,730       195,280       654,006       564,775
  General and administrative        17,886        15,687        45,675        31,532
  Depletion                         20,114        36,066        60,352       130,090
                                 ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
                                   248,730       247,033       760,033       726,397
                                 ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
Net income                      $  255,592    $  129,148    $  614,549    $   91,991
                                 =========     =========     =========     =========
Allocation of net income:
  General partners              $   67,634    $   38,132    $  163,870    $   43,608
                                 =========     =========     =========     =========
  Limited partners              $  187,958    $   91,016    $  450,679    $   48,383
                                 =========     =========     =========     =========
Net income per limited
  partnership interest          $     9.64    $     4.67    $    23.11    $     2.48
                                 =========     =========     =========     =========

</TABLE>


         The financial information included herein has been prepared by
  the managing general partner without audit by independent public accountants.

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

                                        4

<PAGE>



                           PARKER & PARSLEY 83-A, LTD.
                          (A Texas Limited Partnership)

                         STATEMENT OF PARTNERS' CAPITAL
                                   (Unaudited)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                     General        Limited
                                     partners       partners        Total
                                    ----------     ----------     ----------

<S>                                 <C>            <C>            <C>
Balance at January 1, 2000          $  182,491     $1,469,563     $1,652,054

    Distributions                     (157,253)      (459,473)      (616,726)

    Net income                         163,870        450,679        614,549
                                     ---------      ---------      ---------

Balance at September 30, 2000       $  189,108     $1,460,769     $1,649,877
                                     =========      =========      =========

</TABLE>






         The financial information included herein has been prepared by
  the managing general partner without audit by independent public accountants.

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

                                        5

<PAGE>



                           PARKER & PARSLEY 83-A, LTD.
                          (A Texas Limited Partnership)

                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                          Nine months ended
                                                             September 30,
                                                       ------------------------
                                                          2000          1999
                                                       ----------    ----------
<S>                                                    <C>           <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income                                          $  614,549    $   91,991
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
      cash provided by operating activities:
         Depletion                                         60,352       130,090
   Changes in assets and liabilities:
         Accounts receivable                              (35,612)      (83,504)
         Accounts payable                                  26,005        26,412
                                                        ---------     ---------
           Net cash provided by operating activities      665,294       164,989
                                                        ---------     ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
   Additions to oil and gas properties                     (5,992)       (6,859)
   Proceeds from asset dispositions                           -             810
                                                        ---------    ----------
           Net cash used in investing activities           (5,992)       (6,049)
                                                        ---------     ---------
Cash flows used in financing activities:
   Cash distributions to partners                        (616,726)     (110,584)
                                                        ---------     ---------
Net increase in cash                                       42,576        48,356
Cash at beginning of period                               143,823        94,700
                                                        ---------     ---------
Cash at end of period                                  $  186,399    $  143,056
                                                        =========     =========
</TABLE>




         The financial information included herein has been prepared by
  the managing general partner without audit by independent public accountants.

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

                                        6

<PAGE>



                           PARKER & PARSLEY 83-A, LTD.
                          (A Texas Limited Partnership)

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               September 30, 2000
                                   (Unaudited)


Note 1.     Organization and nature of operations

Parker &  Parsley  83-A,  Ltd.  (the  "Partnership")  is a  limited  partnership
organized in 1983 under the laws of the State of Texas.

The  Partnership  engages in oil and gas development and production in Texas and
is not involved in any industry segment other than oil and gas.

Note 2.     Basis of presentation

In  the  opinion  of  management,  the  unaudited  financial  statements  of the
Partnership  as of  September  30, 2000 and for the three and nine months  ended
September 30, 2000 and 1999 include all adjustments and accruals consisting only
of  normal  recurring  accrual  adjustments  which  are  necessary  for  a  fair
presentation  of the results for the interim  period.  These interim results are
not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. Certain reclassifications
may have been made to the September 30, 1999 financial  statements to conform to
the September 30, 2000 financial statement presentations.

Certain  information  and footnote  disclosures  normally  included in financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting  principles
have been  condensed  or  omitted  in this Form 10-Q  pursuant  to the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The financial statements
should  be read in  conjunction  with the  financial  statements  and the  notes
thereto  contained in the  Partnership's  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1999, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission,  a copy
of which is available upon request by writing to Rich Dealy,  Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer,  5205 North O'Connor  Boulevard,  1400 Williams Square
West, Irving, Texas 75039-3746.

Item 2.     Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
             and Results of Operations (1)

Results of Operations

Nine months ended  September 30, 2000 compared with nine months ended  September
  30, 1999

Revenues:

The Partnership's oil and gas revenues  increased 68% to $1,365,167 for the nine
months ended  September  30, 2000 as compared to $814,126 for the same period in
1999. The increase in revenues resulted  from  higher  average prices  received,

                                        7

<PAGE>



offset by a decrease in  production.  For the nine months  ended  September  30,
2000,  31,864 barrels of oil, 17,938 barrels of natural gas liquids ("NGLs") and
73,083 mcf of gas were sold, or 61,983 barrel of oil equivalents  ("BOEs").  For
the nine months ended September 30, 1999,  33,186 barrels of oil, 19,939 barrels
of NGLs and 85,102 mcf of gas were sold, or 67,309 BOEs.

The average  price  received per barrel of oil  increased  $13.43,  or 89%, from
$15.11  for the nine  months  ended  September  30,  1999 to $28.54 for the same
period in 2000. The average price  received per barrel of NGLs increased  $6.33,
or 76%, from $8.34 during the nine months ended September 30, 1999 to $14.67 for
the same period in 2000. The average price received per mcf of gas increased 53%
from $1.72 for the nine months  ended  September  30, 1999 to $2.64 for the same
period in 2000. The market price for oil and gas has been extremely  volatile in
the past  decade  and  management  expects a certain  amount  of  volatility  to
continue in the  foreseeable  future.  The  Partnership  may therefore  sell its
future  oil and gas  production  at  average  prices  lower or higher  than that
received during the nine months ended September 30, 2000.

Costs and Expenses:

Total  costs and  expenses  increased  to  $760,033  for the nine  months  ended
September  30,  2000 as compared  to  $726,397  for the same period in 1999,  an
increase of $33,636,  or 5%. This  increase was due to  increases in  production
costs and general and  administrative  expenses ("G&A"),  offset by a decline in
depletion.

Production  costs were $654,006 for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 and
$564,775 for the same period in 1999 resulting in an $89,231  increase,  or 16%.
The increase was primarily due to higher production taxes of $43,236  associated
with higher oil and gas prices and additional well maintenance  costs of $24,517
and workover expenses of $17,698 incurred to stimulate well production.

G&A's  components are independent  accounting and engineering  fees and managing
general  partner  personnel  and  operating  costs.   During  this  period,  G&A
increased,  in aggregate,  45% from $31,532 for the nine months ended  September
30,  1999 to  $45,675  for the same  period  in 2000  primarily  due to a higher
allocation of the managing general partner's G&A being allocated  (limited to 3%
of oil and gas revenues) as a result of increased oil and gas revenues.

Depletion  was $60,352 for the nine months ended  September 30, 2000 compared to
$130,090  for the same  period in 1999,  a decrease  of  $69,738,  or 54%.  This
decrease  was  attributable  to an  increase  in proved  reserves  due to higher
commodity  prices and a decline in oil production of 1,322 barrels when compared
to the respective information for the same period in 1999.

Three months ended September 30, 2000 compared with three months ended September
  30, 1999

Revenues:

The Partnership's  oil and gas revenues  increased 34% to $500,331 for the three
months ended  September  30, 2000 as compared to $374,150 for the same period in
1999.  The increase  in revenues resulted  from higher  average prices received,

                                        8

<PAGE>



offset by a decline in  production.  For the three  months ended  September  30,
2000,  10,409  barrels of oil,  6,242 barrels of NGLs and 26,245 mcf of gas were
sold,  or 21,025 BOEs.  For the three months ended  September  30, 1999,  12,110
barrels of oil, 7,627 barrels of NGLs and 32,917 mcf of gas were sold, or 25,223
BOEs.

The average  price  received per barrel of oil  increased  $11.64,  or 61%, from
$18.93 for the three  months  ended  September  30,  1999 to $30.57 for the same
period in 2000. The average price  received per barrel of NGLs increased  $5.22,
or 51%, from $10.16  during the three months ended  September 30, 1999 to $15.38
for the same period in 2000. The average price received per mcf of gas increased
60% from $2.05 for the three  months ended  September  30, 1999 to $3.28 for the
same period in 2000.

Costs and Expenses:

Total costs and  expenses  increased  to  $248,730  for the three  months  ended
September  30,  2000 as compared  to  $247,033  for the same period in 1999,  an
increase of $1,697.  This increase was due to increases in production  costs and
G&A, offset by a decrease in depletion.

Production costs were $210,730 for the three months ended September 30, 2000 and
$195,280  for the same period in 1999  resulting in a $15,450  increase,  or 8%.
This increase was primarily due to higher production taxes of $14,554 associated
with higher oil and gas prices and additional  workover costs of $2,815 incurred
to stimulate well production,  offset by a decline in well maintenance  costs of
$4,866.

During this period, G&A increased, in aggregate,  14% from $15,687 for the three
months ended September 30, 1999 to $17,886 for the same period in 2000 primarily
due to a higher allocation of the managing general partner's G&A being allocated
(limited to 3% of oil and gas  revenues)  as a result of  increased  oil and gas
revenues.

Depletion was $20,114 for the three months ended  September 30, 2000 compared to
$36,066 for the same period in 1999, representing a decrease of $15,952, or 44%.
This decrease was  attributable to an increase in proved reserves as a result of
higher  commodity  prices and a decrease in oil production of 1,701 barrels when
compared to the respective information for the same period in 1999.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating  activities  increased  $500,305  during the nine
months  ended  September  30, 2000  compared  to the same  period in 1999.  This
increase  was due to an  increase  in oil and gas sales  receipts  of  $604,086,
offset by increases in production costs paid of $81,901 and G&A expenses paid of
$21,880.


                                        9

<PAGE>



Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

The Partnership's  investment  activities during the nine months ended September
30, 2000 and 1999 included expenditures related to equipment upgrades on various
oil and gas properties.

Proceeds from asset  dispositions  of $810 were received  during the nine months
ended September 30, 1999 from equipment credits on one well.

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

For the nine months ended September 30, 2000, cash distributions to the partners
were  $616,726,  of which $157,253 was  distributed to the general  partners and
$459,473 to the limited partners.  For the same period ended September 30, 1999,
cash  distributions  to  the  partners  were  $110,584,  of  which  $30,354  was
distributed to the general partners and $80,230 to the limited partners.

---------------

(1)     "Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
        Results of Operations"  contains forward looking statements that involve
        risks and  uncertainties.  Accordingly,  no assurances can be given that
        the actual events and results will not be materially  different than the
        anticipated results described in the forward looking statements.

                           Part II. Other Information

Item 6.     Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)     Exhibits

        27.1  Financial Data Schedule

(b)     Reports on Form 8-K - none


                                       10

<PAGE>


                           PARKER & PARSLEY 83-A, LTD.
                          (A Texas Limited Partnership)



                               S I G N A T U R E S



       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                           PARKER & PARSLEY 83-A, LTD.

                                   By:     Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc.,
                                            Managing General Partner




Dated:  November 8, 2000           By:     /s/ Rich Dealy
                                           ---------------------------------
                                           Rich Dealy, Vice President and
                                             Chief Accounting Officer



                                       11

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