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

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996

                                    OR

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

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number   0-18997 

          Southwest Royalties Institutional Income Fund X-A, L.P.
                 (Exact name of registrant as specified in
                    its limited partnership agreement)

Delaware                                                     75-2310852    
(State or other jurisdiction                             (I.R.S. Employer  
of incorporation or organization)                       Identification No.)

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

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

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

                                   None

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

                       limited partnership interests

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

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

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

The total number of pages contained in this report is 43.  There is no
exhibit index.

PAGE
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                             Table of Contents

Item                                                                   Page

                                  Part I

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

 2.  Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

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

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

                                  Part II

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

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

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

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

 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
     on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

                                 Part III

10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant. . . . . . . . .36

11.  Executive Compensation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
     Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

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

                                  Part IV

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

     Signatures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

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                                  Part I

Item 1.   Business

General
Southwest Royalties Institutional Income Fund X-A, L.P. (the "Partnership" or
"Registrant") was organized as a Delaware limited partnership on January 29,
1990.  The offering of limited partnership interests began May 11, 1990 as
part of a shelf offering registered under the name Southwest Royalties
Institutional 1990-91 Income Program.  Minimum capital requirements for the
Partnership were met on July 30, 1990, with the offering of limited
partnership interests concluding on November 30, 1990.  The Partnership has
no subsidiaries.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                                  Oil          Gas

                    1996          87%          13%
                    1995          87%          13%
                    1994          85%          15%

As the table indicates, the majority of the Partnership's revenue is from its
oil production; therefore, Partnership revenues will be highly dependent upon
the future prices and demands for oil.

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

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Customer Dependence
No material portion of the Partnership's business is dependent on a single
purchaser, or a very few purchasers, where the loss of one would have a
material adverse impact on the Partnership.  Four purchasers accounted for
75% of the Partnership's total oil and gas production during 1996:  Scurlock
Permian Corporation 32%, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation 20%, Navajo Refining
Company, Inc. 13% and Mobil Corporation 10%.  Three purchasers accounted for
66% of the Partnership's total oil and gas production during 1995: Scurlock
Permian Corporation, Navajo Refining Company, Inc. and Mobil Corporation
purchased 40%, 14% and 12%, respectively.  Three purchasers accounted for 60%
of the Partnership's total oil and gas production during 1994: Scurlock
Permian Corporation, Navajo Refining Company, Inc. and Mobil Corporation
purchased 37%, 12% and 11%, respectively.  

All purchasers of the Partnership's oil and gas production are unrelated
third parties.  In the event either of these purchasers were to discontinue
purchasing the Partnership's production, the Managing General Partner
believes that a substitute purchaser or purchasers could be located without
undue delay.  No other purchaser accounted for an amount equal to or greater
than 10% of the Partnership's sales of oil and gas production.

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

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

Regulation

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

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

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

Industry Regulations and Guidelines - Certain industry regulations and
guidelines apply to the registration, qualification and operation of oil and
gas programs in the form of limited partnerships. The Partnership is subject
to these guidelines which regulate and restrict transactions between the
Managing General Partner and the Partnership.  

The Partnership complies with these guidelines and the Managing General
Partner does not anticipate that continued compliance will have a material
adverse effect on Partnership operations.

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

Item 2.   Properties

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

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As of December 31, 1996, the Partnership possessed an interest in oil and gas
properties located in Eddy and Lea Counties of New Mexico; Andrews, Cherokee,
Culberson, Dewitt, Duval, Gaines, Glasscock, Lamb, Hockley, Howard,
Matagorda, Midland, Montgomery, Panola, Pecos, Reagan, Runnels, Terry, Upton,
Ward and Yoakum Counties of Texas.  These properties consist of various
interests in approximately 451 wells and units.

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

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

During 1996, three leases were sold for $1,050.  The JH King was sold
effective August 1996 and the Fair-Wendt and CW Hahl were sold effective
December 1996.

During 1995, six leases were sold for approximately $55,800.  The Zahn was
sold effective September 1995 and the Ares State, B. Davis, State 157-G,
Slouson and Meeker were sold effective November 1995.

During 1994, three leases were sold for approximately $334,600.  The Caddell,
Cook #1 and Cook #2 were sold effective January 1994.

Significant Property
The following table reflects the significant property in which the
Partnership has an interest:

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

Texas Crude           12/90* at 17.5%    12        144,642            -  
Acquisition           to 50%
Gaines, Hockley,      net profits
Terry and Culberson   interests
Counties, Texas
Lea County, New 
Mexico

Freer Acquisition     9/91 at 1%         26         29,880         28,450
Duval County,         to 5% 
Texas                 net profits
                      interests

Exxon Rhoda           11/90 at            4         48,954         78,021
Walker                5% to 50%
Ward County,          net profits
Texas                 interests

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*Per the terms of the purchase, the Partnership received production runs from
a period prior to the date of purchase.

*The reserve estimates were prepared as of January 1, 1997, by Donald R.
Creamer, P.E., an independent registered petroleum engineer.  The reserve
estimates were made in accordance with guidelines established by the
Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 4-10(a) of Regulation S-
X.  Such guidelines require oil and gas reserve reports be prepared under
existing economic and operation conditions, price and costs, as of the date
the estimation is made.  Prices may include consideration of changes in
existing price provided only by contractual arrangements, but not on
escalations based upon future conditions.
 
An oil price of $23.85 per barrel was used in the preparation of the reserve
report as of January 1, 1997.  The West Texas Intermediate posted price at
December 31, 1996 of $24.25 was used as the beginning basis for the oil
price.  Oil price adjustments from $24.25 per barrel were made in the
individual evaluations to allow for the average difference between recent
prices actually received (current prices) and the West Texas Intermediate
posted price on the sales date.  This effectively adjusts for temperature,
gravity, transportation and impurities on an individual property basis to
arrive at a fair value for the selling price.

A gas price of $3.95 per mcf was used in the preparation of the reserve
report as of January 1, 1997.  The El Paso Permian Basin Index posted price
at December 31, 1996 of $3.59 was used as the beginning basis for the gas
price.  Gas price adjustments from $3.59 per mcf were made in the individual
evaluations to allow for the average difference between recent prices
actually received (current prices) and the El Paso Permian Basin Index posted
price on the sales date.  This effectively adjusts for temperature, gravity,
transportation and impurities on an individual property basis to arrive at a
fair value for the selling price.

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

The evaluation of oil and gas properties is not an exact science and
inevitably involves a significant degree of uncertainty, particularly with
respect to the quantity of oil or gas that any given property is capable of
producing.  Estimates of oil and gas reserves are based on available
geological and engineering data, the extent and quality of which may vary in
each case and, in certain instances, may prove to be inaccurate. 
Consequently, properties may be depleted more rapidly than the geological and
engineering data have indicated.  Unanticipated depletion, if it occurs, will
result in lower reserves than previously estimated; thus an ultimately lower
return for the Partnership.  Basic changes in past reserve estimates occur
annually.  As new data is gathered during the subsequent year, the engineer
must revise his earlier estimates.  A year of new information, which is
pertinent to the estimation of future recoverable volumes, is available
during the subsequent year evaluation.  

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In applying industry standards and procedures, the new data may cause the
previous estimates to be revised.  This revision may increase or decrease the
earlier estimated volumes.  Pertinent information gathered during the year
may include actual production and decline rates, production from offset wells
drilled to the same geologic formation, increased or decreased water
production, workovers, and changes in lifting costs, among others. 
Accordingly, reserve estimates are often different from the quantities of oil
and gas that are ultimately recovered.

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

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

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

Item 3.   Legal Proceedings

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

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

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

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                                  Part II


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

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

The Managing General Partner has the right, but not the obligation, to
purchase limited partnership units should an investor desire to sell.  The
value of the unit is determined by adding the sum of (1) current assets less
liabilities and (2) the present value of the future net revenues attributable
to proved reserves and by discounting the future net revenues at a rate not
in excess of the prime rate charged by NationsBank, N.A. of Midland, Texas
plus one percent (1%), which value shall be further reduced by a risk factor
discount of no more than one-third (1/3) to be determined by the Managing
General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion.  In 1996, 34 limited
partner units were tendered to and purchased by the Managing General Partner
at an average base price of $212.67 per unit.  In 1995 and 1994, no limited
partner units were purchased by the Managing General Partner.

Number of Limited Partner Interest Holders
As of December 31, 1996 there were 579 holders of limited partner units in
the Partnership.

Distributions
Pursuant to Article III, Section 3.05 of the Partnership's Certificate and
Agreement of Limited Partnership "Net Cash Flow" is distributed to the
partners on a monthly basis.  "Net Cash Flow" is defined as "the cash
generated by the Partnership's investments in producing oil and gas
properties, less (i) General and Administrative Costs, (ii) Operating Costs,
and (iii) any reserves necessary to meet current and anticipated needs of the
Partnership, as determined in the sole discretion of the Managing General
Partner."  

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During 1996, twelve monthly distributions were made totaling $226,000, with
$203,400 distributed to the limited partners and $22,600 to the general
partners.  For the year ended December 31, 1996, distributions of $17.97 per
limited partner unit were made, based upon 11,316 limited partner units
outstanding.  During 1995, twelve monthly distributions were made totaling
$137,344, with $125,844 distributed to the limited partners and $11,500 to
the general partners.  For the year ended December 31, 1995, distributions of
$11.12 per limited partner unit were made, based on 11,316 limited partner
units outstanding.  During 1994, twelve monthly distributions were made
totaling $521,272, with $491,282 distributed to the limited partners and
$29,990 to the general partners.  For the year ended December 31, 1994,
distributions of $43.41 per limited partner unit were made, based on 11,316
limited partner units outstanding.

Item 6.   Selected Financial Data

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

                                    Years ended December 31,
                     -----------------------------------------------------
                         1996      1995       1994       1993       1992
                         ----      ----       ----       ----       ----
Revenues            $  380,073    130,883    290,909    508,304    624,755

Net income (loss)      209,089    (68,065)    31,417   (854,760)   (99,537)

Partners' share 
 of net income
  (loss):

  General
   partners             28,109      2,962     18,642     40,224     51,747

  Limited
   partners            180,980    (71,027)    12,775   (894,984)  (151,284)

Limited partners'
 net income (loss)
  per unit               15.99      (6.28)      1.13     (79.09)    (13.37)

Limited partners' 
 cash distributions
  per unit               17.97      11.12      43.41      41.26      53.20

Total assets        $  719,605    736,647    942,577  1,434,519  2,799,958

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

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

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

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

Based on current conditions, management anticipates participating in a
farmout agreement and performing workovers during the next two years to
enhance production.  The Partnership may undergo an increase later in 1997
and possibly in 1998.  Thereafter, the Partnership could possibly experience
a normal decline of 8% to 10% per year.

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Results of Operations

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

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

                                              Year Ended        Percentage
                                              December 31,       Increase
                                             1996      1995     (Decrease)
                                             ----      ----     ----------

Average price per barrel of oil          $    19.65     16.31      20%
Average price per mcf of gas             $     2.39      1.78      34%
Oil production in barrels                    40,700    36,400      12%
Gas production in mcf                        50,700    51,500      (2%)
Income from net profits interests        $  363,959   129,803     180%
Partnership distributions                $  226,000   137,344      65%
Limited partner distributions            $  203,400   125,844      62%
Per unit distribution to limited
 partners                                $    17.97     11.12      62%
Number of limited partner units              11,316    11,316

Revenues

The Partnership's income from net profits interests increased to $363,959
from $129,803 for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively,
an increase of 180%.  The principal factors affecting the comparison of the
years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 are as follows:

1.  The average price for a barrel of oil received by the Partnership
    increased during the year ended December 31, 1996 as compared to the year
    ended December 31, 1995 by 20%, or $3.34 per barrel, resulting in an
    increase of approximately $121,600 in income from net profits interests. 
    Oil sales represented 87% of total oil and gas sales during the years
    ended December 31, 1996 and 1995.

    The average price for an mcf of gas received by the Partnership increased
    during the same period by 34%, or $.61 per mcf, resulting in an increase
    of approximately $31,400 in income from net profits interests.  

    The total increase in income from net profits interests due to the change
    in prices received from oil and gas production is approximately $153,000. 
    The market price for oil and gas has been extremely volatile over the
    past decade, and management expects a certain amount of volatility to
    continue in the foreseeable future.

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2.  Oil production increased approximately 4,300 barrels or 12% during the
    year ended December 31, 1996 as compared to the year ended December 31,
    1995, resulting in an increase of approximately $84,500 in income from
    net profits interests.

    Gas production decreased approximately 800 mcf or 2% during the same
    period, resulting in a decrease of approximately $1,900 in income from
    net profits interests.

    The net total increase in income from net profits interests due to the
    change in production is approximately $82,600.

3.  Subsequent to December 31, 1996, the Partnership received $14,850 from a
    lawsuit settlement between Scana Petroleum, the oil and gas purchaser for
    the Ethel Cornelius lease, and the lease's operator, Alltex Exploration,
    concerning pricing. 

4.  Lease operating costs and production taxes were less than 1% higher, or
    approximately $2,300 more during the year ended December 31, 1996 as
    compared to the year ended December 31, 1995.

Costs and Expenses

Total costs and expenses decreased to $170,984 from $198,948 for the years
ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, a decrease of 14%.  The
decrease is the result of lower general and administrative expense and
depletion expense.

1.  General and administrative costs consists of independent accounting and
    engineering fees, computer services, postage, and Managing General
    Partner personnel costs.  General and administrative costs decreased 2%
    or approximately $2,300 during the year ended December 31, 1996 as
    compared to the year ended December 31, 1995.

2.  Depletion expense decreased to $72,000 for the year ended December 31,
    1996 from $94,000 for the same period in 1995.  This represents a
    decrease of 23%.  Depletion is calculated using the units of revenue
    method of amortization based on a percentage of current period gross
    revenues to total future gross oil and gas revenues, as estimated by the
    Partnership's independent petroleum consultants.  

    A contributing factor to the decline in depletion expense between the
    comparative periods was the increase in the price of oil and gas used to
    determine the Partnership's reserves for January 1, 1997 as compared to
    1996.  Another contributing factor was due to the impact of revisions of
    previous estimates on reserves.  Revisions of previous estimates can be
    attributed to the changes in production performance, oil and gas price
    and production costs.  The impact of the revision would have decreased
    depletion expense approximately $30,000 as of December 31, 1995.

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B.  General Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 1995 and 1994

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

                                              Year Ended        Percentage
                                              December 31,       Increase
                                             1995      1994     (Decrease)
                                             ----      ----     ----------

Average price per barrel of oil          $    16.31     14.73      11%
Average price per mcf of gas             $     1.78      1.83      (3%)
Oil production in barrels                    36,400    51,400     (29%)
Gas production in mcf                        51,500    74,500     (31%)
Income from net profits interests        $  129,803   287,718     (55%)
Partnership distributions                $  137,344   521,272     (74%)
Limited partner distributions            $  125,844   491,282     (74%)
Per unit distribution to limited
 partners                                $    11.12     43.41     (74%)
Number of limited partner units              11,316    11,316

Revenues

The Partnership's income from net profits interests decreased to $129,803
from $287,718 for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively,
a decrease of 55%.  The principal factors affecting the comparison of the
years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994 are as follows:

1.   The average price for a barrel of oil received by the Partnership
     increased during the year ended December 31, 1995 as compared to the
     year ended December 31, 1994 by 11%, or $1.58 per barrel, resulting in
     an increase of approximately $81,200 in income from net profits
     interests.  Oil sales represented 87% of total oil and gas sales during
     the year ended December 31, 1995 as compared to 85% during the year
     ended December 31, 1994.

     The average price for an mcf of gas received by the Partnership
     decreased during the same period by 3%, or $.05 per mcf, resulting in a
     decrease of approximately $3,700 in income from net profits interests. 
     
     The net total increase in income from net profits interests due to the
     change in prices received from oil and gas production is approximately
     $77,500.  The market price for oil and gas has been extremely volatile
     over the past decade, and management expects a certain amount of
     volatility to continue in the foreseeable future.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
2.   Oil production decreased approximately 15,000 barrels or 29% during the
     year ended December 31, 1995 as compared to the year ended December 31,
     1994, resulting in a decrease of approximately $244,700 in income from
     net profits interests.

     Gas production decreased approximately 23,000 mcf or 31% during the same
     period, resulting in a decrease of approximately $40,900 in income from
     net profits interests.

     The total decrease in income from net profits interests due to the
     change in production is approximately $285,600.  The decrease is a
     result of increased downtime due to mechanical and equipment failures in
     1995.

3.   Lease operating costs and production taxes were 8% lower, or
     approximately $51,000 less during the year ended December 31, 1995 as
     compared to the year ended December 31, 1994.

Costs and Expenses

Total costs and expenses decreased to $198,948 from $259,492 for the years
ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively, a decrease of 23%.  The
decline is the result of a decrease in general and administrative expense and
depletion expense.

1.   General and administrative costs consists of independent accounting and
     engineering fees, computer services, postage, and Managing General
     Partner personnel costs.  General and administrative costs decreased 3%
     or approximately $3,200 during the year ended December 31, 1995 as
     compared to the year ended December 31, 1994.

2.   Depletion expense decreased to $94,000 for the year ended December 31,
     1995 from $146,000 for the same period in 1994.  This represents a
     decrease of 36%.  Depletion is calculated using the units of revenue
     method of amortization based on a percentage of current period gross
     revenues to total future gross oil and gas revenues, as estimated by the
     Partnership's independent petroleum consultants.  Consequently,
     depletion will fluctuate in direct relation to oil and gas revenues.  As
     noted above, oil and gas revenues declined due to a decline in gas
     prices and oil and gas production for the year ended December 31, 1995
     as compared to the same period for 1994.

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

Partnership income or (loss) for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and
1994 was $209,089 in 1996,  $(68,065) in 1995 and $31,417 in 1994.  Excluding
the effects of depreciation, depletion and amortization, net income would
have been $281,089 in 1996, $29,625 in 1995 and $186,417 in 1994. 
Correspondingly, Partnership distributions for the years ended December 31,
1996, 1995 and 1994 were $226,000, $137,344 and $521,272, respectively. 
These differences are indicative of the changes in oil and gas prices,
production and property sales.

The sources for the 1996 distributions of $226,000 were oil and gas
operations of approximately $185,300 and property sales of approximately
$1,100, with the balance from available cash on hand at the beginning of the
period.  The sources for the 1995 distributions of $137,344 were oil and gas
operations of approximately $90,200 and property sales of approximately
$55,800, resulting in excess cash for contingencies or subsequent
distributions.  The sources for the 1994 distributions of $521,272 were oil
and gas operations of approximately $194,700 and property sales of
approximately $334,600, offset by additions to oil and gas properties of
approximately $2,200, resulting in excess cash for contingencies or
subsequent distributions. 

Total distributions during the year ended December 31, 1996 were $226,000 of
which $203,400 was distributed to the limited partners and $22,600 to the
general partners. The per unit distribution to limited partners during the
same period was $17.97.  Total distributions during the year ended December
31, 1995 were $137,344 of which $125,844 was distributed to the limited
partners and $11,500 to the general partners.  The per unit distribution to
limited partners during the same period was $11.12.  Total distributions
during the year ended December 31, 1994 were $521,272 of which $491,282 was
distributed to the limited partners and $29,990 to the general partners.  The
per unit distribution to limited partners during the same period was $43.41. 

Since inception of the Partnership, cumulative monthly cash distributions of
$2,753,122 have been made to the partners.  As of December 31, 1996,
$2,526,161 or $223.24 per limited partner unit, has been distributed to the
limited partners, representing a 45% return of the capital contributed.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Liquidity and Capital Resources

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

Cash flows provided by operating activities were approximately $185,300 in
1996 compared to approximately $90,200 in 1995 and approximately $194,700 in
1994.  The primary source of the 1996 cash flow from operating activities was
profitable operations.

Cash flows provided by investing activities were approximately $1,100 in 1996
compared to approximately $55,800 in 1995 and approximately $332,500 in 1994. 
The principal source of the 1996 cash flow from investing activities was the
sale of oil and gas properties.

Cash flows used in financing activities were approximately $226,100 in 1996
compared to approximately $137,200 in 1995 and approximately $521,200 in
1994.  The only use in 1996 financing activities was the distributions to
partners. 

As of December 31, 1996, the Partnership had approximately $121,300 in
working capital.  The Managing General Partner knows of no unusual
contractual commitments and believes the revenues generated from operations
are adequate to meet the needs of the Partnership.

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

                       Index to Financial Statements

                                                                       Page

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

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

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

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

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

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

<PAGE>
<PAGE>








                     REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


To the Partners
Southwest Royalties Institutional
 Income Fund X-A, L.P.
Midland, Texas

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

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

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


                        JOSEPH DECOSIMO AND COMPANY
                        A Tennessee Registered Limited Liability Partnership


Chattanooga, Tennessee
March 14, 1997

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
          Southwest Royalties Institutional Income Fund X-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)
                              Balance Sheets
                        December 31, 1996 and 1995


                                                        1996        1995
                                                        ----        ----

  Assets

Current assets:
 Cash and cash equivalents                        $      6,736      46,452
 Receivable from Managing General
  Partner                                               99,877      19,003
 Other receivable                                       14,850        -   
                                                     ---------   ---------
    Total current assets                               121,463      65,455
                                                     ---------   ---------
Oil and gas properties - using the 
 full-cost method of accounting                      4,387,142   4,388,192
  Less accumulated depreciation, 
   depletion and amortization                        3,789,000   3,717,000
                                                     ---------   ---------
    Net oil and gas properties                         598,142     671,192
                                                     ---------   ---------
                                                  $    719,605     736,647
                                                     =========   =========
  Liabilities and Partners' Equity

Current liability - Distribution payable
                                                  $        142         273
                                                     ---------   ---------
Partners' equity:
 General Partner                                           693      (4,816)
 Limited partners                                      718,770     741,190
                                                     ---------   ---------
    Total partners' equity                             719,463     736,374
                                                     ---------   ---------
                                                  $    719,605     736,647
                                                     =========   =========









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

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
          Southwest Royalties Institutional Income Fund X-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)
                         Statements of Operations
               Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994


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

    Revenues

Income from net profits interests         $  363,959   129,803     287,718
Interest                                       1,264     1,080       3,191
Miscellaneous income                          14,850       -           -  
                                             -------   -------     -------
                                             380,073   130,883     290,909
                                             -------   -------     -------
    Expenses

General and administrative                    98,984   101,258     104,492
Depreciation, depletion and amortization      72,000    97,690     155,000
                                             -------   -------     -------
                                             170,984   198,948     259,492
                                             -------   -------     -------
Net income (loss)                         $  209,089   (68,065)     31,417
                                             =======   =======     =======
Net income (loss) allocated to:

  Managing General Partner                $   25,298     2,666      16,778
                                             =======   =======     =======
  General Partner                         $    2,811       296       1,864
                                             =======   =======     =======
  Limited partners                        $  180,980   (71,027)     12,775
                                             =======   =======     =======
  Per limited partner unit                $    15.99     (6.28)       1.13
                                             =======   =======     =======














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

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
          Southwest Royalties Institutional Income Fund X-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)
                 Statement of Changes in Partners' Equity
               Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994


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

Balance at December 31, 1993           $   15,070    1,416,568   1,431,638

  Net income                               18,642       12,775      31,417

  Distributions                           (29,990)    (491,282)   (521,272)
                                          -------    ---------   ---------
Balance at December 31, 1994                3,722      938,061     941,783

  Net income (loss)                         2,962      (71,027)    (68,065)

  Distributions                           (11,500)    (125,844)   (137,344)
                                          -------    ---------   ---------
Balance at December 31, 1995               (4,816)     741,190     736,374

  Net income                               28,109      180,980     209,089

  Distributions                           (22,600)    (203,400)   (226,000)
                                          -------    ---------   ---------
Balance at December 31, 1996           $      693      718,770     719,463
                                          =======    =========   =========




















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

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
          Southwest Royalties Institutional Income Fund X-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)
                         Statements of Cash Flows
               Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994


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

Cash flows from operating activities:

  Cash received from net profits
   interests                             $   283,044    191,066    295,962
  Cash paid to suppliers                     (98,984)  (101,902)  (104,493)
  Interest received                            1,264      1,080      3,191
                                            --------   --------   --------
    Net cash provided by operating
     activities                              185,324     90,244    194,660
                                            --------   --------   --------
Cash flows from investing activities:

  Additions to oil and gas properties            -         -        (2,169)
  Sale of oil and gas properties               1,091     55,748    334,632
                                            --------   --------   --------
    Net cash provided by investing
     activities                                1,091     55,748    332,463
                                            --------   --------   --------
Cash flows used in financing
 activities:

  Distributions to partners                 (226,131)  (137,221)  (521,189)
                                            --------   --------   --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and
 cash equivalents                            (39,716)     8,771      5,934

  Beginning of year                           46,452     37,681     31,747
                                            --------   --------   --------
  End of year                            $     6,736     46,452     37,681
                                            ========   ========   ========

                                                                (continued)









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

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
          Southwest Royalties Institutional Income Fund X-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)
                    Statements of Cash Flows, continued
               Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994


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

Reconciliation of net income (loss) to
 net cash provided by operating activities:

Net income (loss)                           $  209,089   (68,065)   31,417

Adjustments to reconcile net income
 (loss) to net cash provided by
  operating activities:

  Depreciation, depletion and
   amortization                                 72,000    97,690   155,000
  (Increase) decrease in receivables           (95,765)   61,263     8,244
  Decrease in payables                             -        (644)       (1)
                                               -------   -------   -------
Net cash provided by operating
 activities                                 $  185,324    90,244   194,660
                                               =======   =======   =======

Supplemental schedule of noncash
 investing and financing activities:

  Sale of oil and gas properties
   included in receivable from
    Managing General Partner                $      -          41      -   

















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

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
          Southwest Royalties Institutional Income Fund X-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


1.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

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

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

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

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

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


<PAGE>
<PAGE>
          Southwest Royalties Institutional Income Fund X-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


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

     Organization Costs
     Organization costs are stated at cost and are amortized over sixty
     months using the straight-line method.

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

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

     Gas Balancing
     The Partnership utilizes the sales method of accounting for gas-
     balancing arrangements.  Under this method the Partnership recognizes
     sales revenue on all gas sold.  As of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994,
     there were no significant amounts of imbalance in terms of units and
     value.


<PAGE>
<PAGE>
          Southwest Royalties Institutional Income Fund X-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


     Income Taxes
     No provision for income taxes is reflected in these financial
     statements, since the tax effects of the Partnership's income or loss
     are passed through to the individual partners.

     In accordance with the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting
     Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes, the Partnership's tax
     basis in its net oil and gas properties at December 31, 1996 and 1995 is
     $1,000,499 and $1,127,062, respectively, more than that shown on the
     accompanying Balance Sheets in accordance with generally accepted
     accounting principles.

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

     Number of Limited Partner Units
     As of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, there were 11,316 limited
     partner units outstanding.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
          Southwest Royalties Institutional Income Fund X-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


2.   Organization
     Southwest Royalties Institutional Income Fund X-A, L.P. was organized
     under the laws of the state of Delaware on January 29, 1990, for the
     purpose of acquiring producing oil and gas properties and to produce and
     market crude oil and natural gas produced from such  properties for a
     term of 50 years, unless terminated at an earlier date as provided for
     in the Partnership Agreement.  The Partnership sells its oil and gas
     production to a variety of purchasers with the prices it receives being
     dependent upon the oil and gas economy.  Southwest Royalties, Inc.
     serves as the Managing General Partner and H. H. Wommack, III, as the
     individual general partner.  Revenues, costs and expenses are allocated
     as follows:

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

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

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

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

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
          Southwest Royalties Institutional Income Fund X-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


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

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

     Depreciation, depletion and
      amortization                          $   72,000    94,000   146,000
                                                ======    ======   =======

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

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

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

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
          Southwest Royalties Institutional Income Fund X-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


5.   Related Party Transactions
     A significant portion of the oil and gas properties in which the
     Partnership has an interest are operated by and purchased from the
     Managing General Partner.  As is usual in the industry and as provided
     for in the operating agreement for each respective oil and gas property
     in which the Partnership has an interest, the operator is paid an amount
     for administrative overhead attributable to operating such properties, 
     with such amounts to Southwest Royalties, Inc. as operator approximating
     $71,000, $69,000 and $79,000 for the years ended December 31, 1996,
     1995, and 1994, respectively.  In addition, the Managing General Partner
     and certain officers and employees may have an interest in some of the
     properties that the Partnership also participates.

     Certain subsidiaries of the Managing General Partner perform various
     oilfield services for properties in which the Partnership owns an
     interest.  Such services aggregated approximately $600, $4,000 and
     $7,000 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994,
     respectively, and the Managing General Partner believes that these costs
     are comparable to similar charges paid by the Partnership to unrelated
     third parties.

     Southwest Royalties, Inc., the Managing General Partner, was paid
     $90,000 during 1996, 1995 and 1994 for indirect general and
     administrative overhead expenses.

     Receivables from Southwest Royalties, Inc., the Managing General
     Partner, of approximately $99,877 and $19,003 are from oil and gas
     production, net of lease operating costs and production taxes, as of
     December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
     
     In addition, a director and officer of the Managing General Partner is
     a partner in a law firm, with such firm providing legal services to the
     Partnership approximating $20 for the year ended December 31, 1996. 
     There were no legal services provided for the year ended December 31,
     1995 and approximately $200 for the year ended December 31, 1994.

6.   Major Customers and Significant Leases
     During 1996, four customers purchased 32%, 20%, 13% and 10% of the
     Partnership's oil and gas production.  During 1995, three customers
     purchased 40%, 14% and 12% of the Partnership's oil and gas production. 
     During 1994, three customers purchased 37%, 12% and 11% of the
     Partnership's oil and gas production.
     
     During 1996, one lease accounted for 20% of the Partnerships's gross
     revenues.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
          Southwest Royalties Institutional Income Fund X-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


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

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

     January 1, 1994                                 311,000       416,000

       Revisions of previous estimates                46,000        61,000
       Production                                    (53,000)      (75,000)
       Sale of minerals in place                     (39,000)         -   
                                                     -------       -------
     December 31, 1994                               265,000       402,000

       Revisions of previous estimates                26,000        33,000
       Production                                    (36,000)      (51,000)
       Sale of minerals in place                     (17,000)      (10,000)
                                                     -------       -------
     December 31, 1995                               238,000       374,000

       Revisions of previous estimates               142,000        98,000
       Production                                    (41,000)      (51,000)
                                                     -------       -------
     December 31, 1996                               339,000       421,000
                                                     =======       =======

     Proved developed reserves - 

     December 31, 1994                               263,000       370,000
                                                     =======       =======
     December 31, 1995                               237,000       367,000
                                                     =======       =======
     December 31, 1996                               339,000       415,600
                                                     =======       =======

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

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
          Southwest Royalties Institutional Income Fund X-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


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

                                             1996       1995        1994

     Future cash inflows, net of 
      production and development 
       costs                            $  4,690,000  2,055,000  2,045,000
     10% annual discount for
       estimated timing of cash
        flows                              1,863,000    829,000    718,000
                                           ---------  ---------  ---------
     Standardized measure of
      discounted future net cash
       flows                            $  2,827,000  1,226,000  1,327,000
                                           =========  =========  =========

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

                                             1996       1995        1994

     Sales of oil and gas produced,
      net of production costs           $   (674,000)  (379,000)  (537,000)
     Changes in price                      1,408,000    207,000    623,000
     Revisions to estimated 
      production costs                        23,000   (107,000)    (9,000)
     Sales of minerals in place                 -       (84,000)  (177,000)
     Revisions of previous 
      quantities estimates                   636,000    149,000     (4,000)
     Accretion of discount                   208,000    113,000    129,000
     Discounted future net 
      cash flows -
       Beginning of year                   1,226,000  1,327,000  1,302,000
                                           ---------  ---------  ---------
       End of year                      $  2,827,000  1,226,000  1,327,000
                                           =========  =========  =========

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

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
          Southwest Royalties Institutional Income Fund X-A, L.P.
                     (a Delaware limited partnership)

                       Notes to Financial Statements


8.   Subsequent Events
     The Partnership was carried into a project on the Ballard Grayburg San
     Andres Unit to drill five infill producers.  An evaluation, prepared by
     an independent certified petroleum engineer, of the proposed infill
     drilling to determine a fair arrangement for the Partnership to
     participate has resulted in a farm-out agreement with Southwest
     Royalties, Inc., the Managing General Partner, to pay all the
     Partnership's costs in the proposed drilling in return for a working
     interest equal to 90% of the Partnership's combined working interest in
     the Ballard Grayburg San Andres Unit, effective January 1, 1997.

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

     None.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                                 Part III

Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

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

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

H. Allen Corey              41          Secretary and Director

Bill E. Coggin              42          Vice President and Chief Financial
                                        Officer

Richard E. Masterson        43          Vice President, Exploration and
                                        Acquisitions

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

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

R. Douglas Keathley         41          Vice President, Operations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Key Employees

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

The Partnership does not have any directors or executive officers.  The
executive officers of the Managing General Partner do not receive any cash
compensation, bonuses, deferred compensation or compensation pursuant to any
type of plan, from the Partnership.  The Managing General Partner received
$90,000 during 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively, as an annual administrative
fee.  

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

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

The Managing General Partner owns a nine percent interest as a general
partner.  Through repurchases of limited partner units, the Managing General
Partner also owns 74 limited partner units, a .65% limited partner interest. 
The Managing General Partner total percentage interest ownership in the
Partnership is 9.6%.

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

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                                                    Amount and
                                                    Nature of      Percent
                         Name and Address of        Beneficial       of
  Title of Class          Beneficial Owner          Ownership       Class
-------------------  ---------------------------  ---------------  -------
Limited Partnership  Southwest Royalties, Inc.    Directly Owns     .65%
 Interest            Managing General Partner     74 Units
                     407 N. Big Spring Street
                     Midland, TX  79701

Limited Partnership  H. H. Wommack, III           Indirectly Owns   .65%
 Interest            Chairman of the Board,       74 Units
                     President, CEO, Treasurer
                     and Director of Southwest
                     Royalties, Inc., the
                     Managing General Partner
                     407 N. Big Spring Street
                     Midland, TX  79701

Limited Partnership  H. Allen Corey               Indirectly Owns   .65%
 Interest            Secretary and Director of    74 Units
                     Southwest Royalties, Inc.,
                     the Managing General
                     Partner
                     633 Chestnut Street
                     Chattanooga, TN  37450-1800

Limited Partnership  Bill E. Coggin               Indirectly Owns   .65%
 Interest            Vice President and CFO of    74 Units
                     Southwest Royalties, Inc.,
                     the Managing General
                     Partner
                     407 N. Big Spring Street
                     Midland, TX  79701

Limited Partnership  Richard E. Masterson         Indirectly Owns   .65%
 Interest            Vice President, Exploration  74 Units
                     and Acquisitions of
                     Southwest Royalties, Inc.,
                     the Managing General
                     Partner
                     407 N. Big Spring Street
                     Midland, TX  79701

Limited Partnership  Jon P. Tate                  Indirectly Owns   .65%
 Interest            Vice President, Land and     74 Units
                     Assistant Secretary of
                     Southwest Royalties, Inc.,
                     the Managing General
                     Partner
                     407 N. Big Spring Street
                     Midland, TX  79701

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                                                    Amount and
                                                    Nature of      Percent
                         Name and Address of        Beneficial       of
  Title of Class          Beneficial Owner          Ownership       Class
-------------------  ---------------------------  ---------------  -------
Limited Partnership  Joel D. Talley               Indirectly Owns   .65%
 Interest            Vice President,              74 Units
                     Acquisitions and
                     Exploitation Manager of
                     Southwest Royalties, Inc.,
                     the Managing General
                     Partner
                     407 N. Big Spring Street
                     Midland, TX  79701

Limited Partnership  R. Douglas Keathley          Indirectly Owns   .65%
 Interest            Vice President, Operations   74 Units
                     of Southwest Royalties, Inc.,
                     the Managing General Partner
                     407 N. Big Spring Street
                     Midland, TX  79701

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

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

In 1996, the Managing General Partner received approximately $90,000 as an
administrative fee.  This amount is part of the general and administrative
expenses incurred by the Partnership.

In some instances the Managing General Partner and certain officers and
employees may be working interest owners in an oil and gas property in which
the Partnership also has a net profits interest.  Certain properties in which
the Partnership has an interest are operated by the Managing General Partner,
who was paid approximately $71,000 for administrative overhead attributable
to operating such properties during 1996.

Certain subsidiaries of the Managing General Partner perform various oilfield
services for properties in which the Partnership owns an interest.  Such
services aggregated approximately $600 for the year ended December 31, 1996.

The law firm of Miller & Martin, of which H. Allen Corey, an officer and
director of the Managing General Partner, is a partner, is counsel to the
Partnership.  Legal services rendered by Miller & Martin to the Partnership
during 1996 were approximately $20, which constitutes an immaterial portion
of that firm's business.  Subsequent to December 31, 1996, the counsel to the
Partnership, H. Allen Corey, became a partner in the law firm Baker,
Donelson, Bearman & Caldwell.

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

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                                  Part IV


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

          (a)(1)  Financial Statements:

                  Included in Part II of this report --

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

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

             (3)  Exhibits:

                  4  (a)  Certificate of Limited Partnership of Southwest
                          Royalties Institutional Income Fund X-A, L.P.,
                          dated January 29, 1990.  (Incorporated by
                          reference from Partnership's Form 10-K for the
                          fiscal year ended December 31, 1990.)

                     (b)  Agreement of Limited Partnership of Southwest
                          Royalties Institutional Income Fund X-A, L.P.
                          dated January 29, 1990.  (Incorporated by
                          reference from Partnership's Form 10-K for the
                          fiscal year ended December 31, 1990.)

                  27  Financial Data Schedule

          (b)  Reports on Form 8-K

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

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                                Signatures


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


                          Southwest Royalties Institutional Income
                          Fund X-A, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership


                          By:    Southwest Royalties, Inc., Managing
                                 General Partner


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


                          Date:  March 26, 1996


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


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


Date:  March 26, 1997


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


Date:  March 26, 1997

<PAGE>