Page 13 of 14
                                 FORM 10-Q
                                     
                                     
                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                         WASHINGTON, D. C.  20549

(Mark One)

(X)  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1998

                                    OR

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

For the transition period from _________________ to _______________

Commission file number 0-17707

              Southwest Oil and Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P.
                  (Exact name of registrant as specified
                   in its limited partnership agreement)

Delaware                                          75-2220097
(State or other jurisdiction of                        (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                         Identification No.)

                       407 N. Big Spring, Suite 300
                  _________Midland, Texas 79701_________
                 (Address of principal executive offices)
                                     
                      ________(915) 686-9927________
                      (Registrant's telephone number,
                           including area code)

Indicate  by  check  mark  whether registrant (1)  has  filed  all  reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange  Act
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject  to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days:

                            Yes __X__ No _____
                                     
         The total number of pages contained in this report is 15.

<PAGE>

                      PART I. - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

The  unaudited  condensed financial statements included  herein  have  been
prepared  by  the Registrant (herein also referred to as the "Partnership")
in  accordance  with generally accepted accounting principles  for  interim
financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01
of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information
and  footnotes  required  by generally accepted accounting  principles  for
complete   financial  statements.   In  the  opinion  of  management,   all
adjustments necessary for a fair presentation have been included and are of
a  normal  recurring nature.  The financial statements should  be  read  in
conjunction with the audited financial statements and the note thereto  for
the  year ended December 31, 1997 which are found in the Registrant's  Form
10-K  Report  for  1997 filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission.
The December 31, 1997 balance sheet included herein has been taken from the
Registrant's  1997 Form 10-K Report.  Operating results for the  three  and
nine  month periods ended September 30, 1998 are not necessarily indicative
of the results that may be expected for the full year.

<PAGE>

              Southwest Oil and Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P.
                                     
                              Balance Sheets

                                              September 30,   December 31,
                                                   1998           1997
                                              -------------   ------------
                                               (unaudited)
Assets

Current assets
 Cash and cash equivalents                     $    8,471          2,669
 Receivable from Managing General Partner          28,147        141,933
 Other receivable                                       -         40,239
                                               ----------      ---------
     Total current assets                          36,618        184,841
                                               ----------      ---------
Oil and gas properties - using the
 full cost method of accounting                 5,404,170      5,406,615
  Less accumulated depreciation,
   depletion and amortization                   4,443,165      4,281,109
                                               ----------      ---------
     Net oil and gas properties                   961,005      1,125,506
                                               ----------      ---------
                                               $  997,623      1,310,347
                                               ==========      =========

Liabilities and Partners' Equity

Current liability - Distribution payable       $      611            686
                                               ----------      ---------

Partners' equity
 General partners                                 (3,931)         10,405
 Limited partners                               1,000,943      1,299,256
                                               ----------      ---------
     Total partners' equity                       997,012      1,309,661
                                               ----------      ---------
                                               $  997,623      1,310,347
                                               ==========      =========
<PAGE>

              Southwest Oil and Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P.
                                     
                         Statements of Operations
                                (unaudited)


                                Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended
                                  September 30,         September 30,
                                  1998      1997        1998      1997
                                  ----      ----        ----      ----
Revenues

Oil and gas                  $   210,036   333,227     707,947 1,101,912
Interest                              68       290       1,296     1,499
                               --------- ---------   --------- ---------
                                 210,104   333,517     709,243 1,103,411
                               --------- ---------   --------- ---------
Expenses

Production                       207,357   225,018     611,070   628,839
General and administrative        29,675    24,396      93,029    83,765
Depreciation, depletion and
 amortization                      4,500    23,000     125,500    76,000
Provision for impairment of oil
 and gas properties                    -         -      36,556         -
                               --------- ---------   --------- ---------
                                 241,532   272,414     866,155   788,604
                               --------- ---------   --------- ---------
Net income (loss)            $  (31,428)    61,103   (156,912)   314,807
                               ========= =========   ========= =========


Net income (loss) allocated to:

 Managing General Partner    $   (2,424)     7,569         463    35,173
                               ========= =========   ========= =========
 General Partner             $     (269)       842          51     3,908
                               ========= =========   ========= =========
 Limited Partners            $  (28,735)    52,692   (157,426)   275,726
                               ========= =========   ========= =========
  Per limited partner unit   $    (2.11)      3.88      (11.58)    20.28
                               ========= =========   ========= =========

<PAGE>

              Southwest Oil and Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P.
                                     
                         Statements of Cash Flows
                                (unaudited)


                                                      Nine Months Ended
                                                        September 30,
                                                       1998 1997
                                                       ----       ----
Cash flows from operating activities

 Cash received from oil and gas sales              $  796,377  1,206,995
 Cash paid to suppliers                             (678,743)  (715,153)
 Interest received                                      1,296      1,499
                                                    ---------  ---------
  Net cash provided by operating activities           118,930    493,341
                                                    ---------  ---------
Cash flows from investing activities

 Cash received from sale of oil and gas
  property interest                                    42,686     21,855
 Additions to oil and gas properties                      (2)   (10,665)
                                                    ---------  ---------
  Net cash provided by investing activities            42,684     11,190
                                                    ---------  ---------

Cash flows used in financing activities

 Distributions to partners                          (155,812)  (537,915)
                                                    ---------  ---------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
 equivalents                                            5,802   (33,384)

 Beginning of period                                    2,669     55,844
                                                    ---------  ---------
 End of period                                     $    8,471     22,460
                                                    =========  =========

                                                             (continued)
<PAGE>

              Southwest Oil and Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P.
                                     
                    Statements of Cash Flows, continued
                                (unaudited)


                                                      Nine Months Ended
                                                        September 30,
                                                       1998 1997
                                                       ----      ----
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net
 cash provided by operating activities

Net income (loss)                                  $(156,912)    314,807

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

 Depreciation, depletion and amortization             125,500     76,000
 Provision for impairment of oil and gas
  properties                                           36,556          -
 Decrease in receivables                               88,430    105,083
 Increase (decrease) in payables                       25,356    (2,549)
                                                    ---------  ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities          $  118,930    493,341
                                                    =========  =========


<PAGE>

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

General
Southwest  Oil & Gas Income Fund VIII-A, L.P. was organized as  a  Delaware
limited  partnership  on November 30, 1987. The offering  of  such  limited
partnership interests began on March 31, 1988, minimum capital requirements
were  met  on July 6, 1988, and the offering concluded on March  31,  1989,
with total limited partner contributions of $6,798,000.

The  Partnership was formed to acquire interests in producing oil  and  gas
properties,  to produce and market crude oil and natural gas produced  from
such properties, and to distribute the net proceeds from operations to  the
limited  and  general partners.  Net revenues from producing  oil  and  gas
properties are not reinvested in other revenue producing assets  except  to
the extent that production facilities and wells are improved or reworked or
where methods are employed to improve or enable more efficient recovery  of
oil and gas reserves.

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,  increases
and  decreases  in  lease operating expenses, enhanced  recovery  projects,
offset  drilling  activities pursuant to farm-out  arrangements,  sales  of
properties,  and  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 partners  is
therefore expected to fluctuate in later years based on these factors.

Based  on  current  conditions, management does not  anticipate  performing
workovers  during  the year.  The Partnership could possibly  experience  a
normal decline of 10% to 12% per year.

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.

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.   For  the  quarter ended September  30,  1998,  the  net
capitalized cost did not exceed the estimated present value of oil and  gas
reserves.   A continuation of the oil price environment experienced  during
the  first  three  quarters  of 1998 will have an  adverse  affect  on  the
Company's revenues and operating cash flow.  Also, further declines in  oil
prices  could result in additional decreases in the carrying value  of  the
Company's oil and gas properties.

<PAGE>
Results of Operations

A.  General Comparison of the Quarters Ended September 30, 1998 and 1997

The  following  table  provides certain information  regarding  performance
factors for the quarters ended September 30, 1998 and 1997:

                                                 Three Months
                                                    Ended        Percentage
                                                September 30,     Increase
                                                1998      1997   (Decrease)
                                                ----      ----   ---------

Average price per barrel of oil            $   12.10     17.88    (32%)
Average price per mcf of gas               $    2.02      2.46    (18%)
Oil production in barrels                     13,800    15,600    (12%)
Gas production in mcf                         21,300    22,100     (4%)
Gross oil and gas revenue                  $ 210,036   333,227    (37%)
Net oil and gas revenue                    $   2,679   108,209    (98%)
Partnership distributions                  $   2,000   108,000    (98%)
Limited partner distributions              $   1,800    97,200    (98%)
Per unit distribution to limited partners  $     .13      7.15    (98%)
Number of limited partner units               13,596    13,596


Revenues

The  Partnership's oil and gas revenues decreased to $210,036 from $333,227
for  the  quarters  ended  September 30, 1998  and  1997,  respectively,  a
decrease  of  37%.  The principal factors affecting the comparison  of  the
quarters ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 are as follows:

1.  The  average  price  for a barrel of oil received  by  the  Partnership
    decreased  during the quarter ended September 30, 1998 as  compared  to
    the  quarter  ended  September 30, 1997 by 32%, or  $5.78  per  barrel,
    resulting  in  a  decrease of approximately $90,200 in  revenues.   Oil
    sales  represented  80% of total oil and gas sales during  the  quarter
    ended  September 30, 1998 as compared to 84% during the  quarter  ended
    September 30, 1997.

    The  average  price  for  an  mcf of gas received  by  the  Partnership
    decreased during the same period by 18%, or $.44 per mcf, resulting  in
    a decrease of approximately $9,700 in revenues.

    The  total  decrease in revenues due to the change in  prices  received
    from oil and gas production is approximately $99,900.  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>

2.   Oil production decreased approximately 1,800 barrels or 12% during the
     quarter  ended  September 30, 1998 as compared to  the  quarter  ended
     September  30, 1997, resulting in a decrease of approximately  $21,800
     in revenues.

    Gas  production decreased approximately 800 mcf or 4% during  the  same
    period, resulting in a decrease of approximately $1,600 in revenues.

    The  total  decrease  in revenues due to the change  in  production  is
    approximately $23,400.

Costs and Expenses

Total  costs  and  expenses decreased to $241,532  from  $272,414  for  the
quarters  ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively,  a  decrease  of
11%.   The  decrease  is  the  result of lower lease  operating  costs  and
depletion  expense,  partially  offset  by  an  increase  in  general   and
administrative expense.

1.    Lease  operating  costs  and  production  taxes  were  8%  lower,  or
   approximately $17,700 less during the quarter ended September 30, 1998 as
   compared to the quarter ended September 30, 1997.

2.  General and administrative costs consist of independent accounting  and
    engineering  fees,  computer services, postage,  and  Managing  General
    Partner  personnel costs.  General and administrative  costs  increased
    22% or approximately $5,300 during the quarter ended September 30, 1998
    as  compared  to the quarter ended September 30, 1997. The increase  in
    general  and administrative costs are due largely to higher  accounting
    fees.   The  10-Q's  are  now  required to be  reviewed  based  on  new
    accounting pronouncements.


3.  Depletion  expense decreased to $4,500 for the quarter ended  September
    30,  1998 from $23,000 for the same period in 1997.  This represents  a
    decrease  of 80%.  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.   Contributing
    factors  to  the  decline in depletion expense between the  comparative
    periods were the decrease in the price of oil and the decline in  gross
    oil and gas revenues.

<PAGE>

B.   General Comparison of the Nine Month Periods Ended September 30,  1998
and 1997

The  following  table  provides certain information  regarding  performance
factors for the nine month periods ended September 30, 1998 and 1997:

                                                 Nine Months
                                                    Ended        Percentage
                                                September 30,     Increase
                                                1998      1997   (Decrease)
                                                ----      ----   ---------
Average price per barrel of oil            $   13.13     19.32    (32%)
Average price per mcf of gas               $    2.18      2.51    (13%)
Oil production in barrels                     43,600    48,200    (10%)
Gas production in mcf                         62,100    68,000     (9%)
Gross oil and gas revenue                  $ 707,947 1,101,912    (36%)
Net oil and gas revenue                    $  96,877   473,073    (80%)
Partnership distributions                  $ 155,737   538,000    (71%)
Limited partner distributions              $ 140,887   484,200    (71%)
Per unit distribution to limited partners  $   10.36     35.61    (71%)
Number of limited partner units               13,596    13,596

Revenues

The   Partnership's  oil  and  gas  revenues  decreased  to  $707,947  from
$1,101,912  for  the  nine  months  ended  September  30,  1998  and  1997,
respectively,  a  decrease  of 36%.  The principal  factors  affecting  the
comparison  of  the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and  1997  are  as
follows:

1.  The  average  price  for a barrel of oil received  by  the  Partnership
    decreased  during the nine months ended September 30, 1998 as  compared
    to  the  nine  months ended September 30, 1997 by  32%,  or  $6.19  per
    barrel,  resulting in a decrease of approximately $298,400 in revenues.
    Oil  sales represented 81% of total oil and gas sales during  the  nine
    months  ended  September 30, 1998 as compared to 85%  during  the  nine
    months ended September 30, 1997.

    The  average  price  for  an  mcf of gas received  by  the  Partnership
    decreased during the same period by 13%, or $.33 per mcf, resulting  in
    a decrease of approximately $22,400 in revenues.

    The  total  decrease in revenues due to the change in  prices  received
    from  oil  and  gas production is approximately $320,800.   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>

2. Oil  production decreased approximately 4,600 barrels or 10% during  the
   nine  months  ended September 30, 1998 as compared to  the  nine  months
   ended  September  30,  1997,  resulting in a decrease  of  approximately
   $60,400 in revenues.

   Gas  production decreased approximately 5,900 mcf or 9% during the  same
   period, resulting in a decrease of approximately $12,900 in revenues.

   The  total  decrease  in  revenues due to the change  in  production  is
   approximately $73,300.

Costs and Expenses

Total  costs and expenses increased to $866,155 from $788,604 for the  nine
months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively, an increase of 10%.
The increase is the result of higher general and administrative expense and
depletion expense, partially offset by a decrease in lease operating costs.

1. Lease   operating  costs  and  production  taxes  were  3%   lower,   or
   approximately  $17,800 less during the nine months ended  September  30,
   1998 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 1997.

2.  General and administrative costs consist of independent accounting  and
    engineering  fees,  computer services, postage,  and  Managing  General
    Partner  personnel costs.  General and administrative  costs  increased
    11%  or approximately $9,300 during the nine months ended September 30,
    1998 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 1997.

3.  Depletion  expense  increased to $125,500 for  the  nine  months  ended
    September  30,  1998 from $76,000 for the same period  in  1997.   This
    represents an increase of 65%.  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.
    Contributing factors to the increase in depletion expense  between  the
    comparative  periods  were the decrease in the price  of  oil  used  to
    determine the Partnership's reserves for October 1, 1998 as compared to
    January  1,  1997 and the decline in gross oil and gas  revenues.   The
    decrease in price has also dropped the basis of the reserves because of
    the negative economics on some wells.

4. The  net capitalized costs for the nine months ended September 30,  1998
   exceeded   the  estimated  present  value  of  oil  and  gas   reserves,
   discounted  at  10%  in the amount of $36,556, such  excess  costs  were
   charged  to current expense.  The write-down had the effect of  reducing
   net income, but did not affect cash flow or partner distributions.



<PAGE>

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The  primary source of cash is from operations, the receipt of income  from
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 $118,900  in
the  nine  months  ended  September 30, 1998 as compared  to  approximately
$493,300  in the nine months ended September 30, 1997.  The primary  source
of the 1998 cash flow from operating activities was profitable operations.

Cash  flows provided by investing activities were approximately $42,700  in
the  nine  months  ended  September 30, 1998 as compared  to  approximately
$11,200 in the nine months ended September 30, 1997.  The principle  source
of  the 1998 cash flow from investing activities was the change in oil  and
gas properties.

Cash flows used in financing activities were approximately $155,800 in  the
nine  months ended September 30, 1998 as compared to approximately $537,900
in  the  nine  months ended September 30, 1997.  The only use in  financing
activities was the distributions to partners.

Total  distributions during the nine months ended September 30,  1998  were
$155,737  of  which  $140,887 was distributed to the limited  partners  and
$14,850  to  the  general partners.  The per unit distribution  to  limited
partners during the nine months ended September 30, 1998 was $10.36.  Total
distributions during the nine months ended September 30, 1997 were $538,000
of  which  $484,200 was distributed to the limited partners and $53,800  to
the general partners.  The per unit distribution to limited partners during
the nine months ended September 30, 1997 was $35.61.

The  sources  for  the  1998 distributions of $155,737  were  oil  and  gas
operations  of  approximately  $118,900 and  the  change  in  oil  and  gas
properties  of  approximately  $42,700,  resulting  with  excess  cash  for
contingencies  or  subsequent distributions.   The  sources  for  the  1997
distributions  of  $538,000  were oil and gas operations  of  approximately
$493,300 and the change in oil and gas properties of approximately $11,200,
with  the  balance  from available cash on hand at  the  beginning  of  the
period.

Since  inception of the Partnership, cumulative monthly cash  distributions
of  $7,012,388 have been made to the partners.  As of September  30,  1998,
$6,351,517 or $467.16 per limited partner unit has been distributed to  the
limited partners, representing a 93% return of the capital contributed.

As  of  September  30, 1998, the Partnership had approximately  $36,000  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>

Information Systems for the Year 2000
The  Partnership  relies  on the Managing General Partner  for  their  data
processing  requirements.   This includes use of  a  program  designed  and
implemented  by Midland Southwest Software, the Managing General  Partner's
software subsidiary.  Midland Southwest Software currently has a year  2000
plan  in  effect.   They have surveyed existing programs and  hardware  and
estimate a compliance date of early 1999.  Determination of the total  cost
in connection with the year 2000 compliance issue is difficult to determine
due  to the fact that they are in the process of developing their new  1998
version  of  marketed  oil  and gas software, which  has,  from  inception,
included  year 2000 compliance.  Third party software programs utilized  by
the  Managing General Partner are either in compliance or are not  affected
by  the  year  2000,  with the exception of the payroll service,  which  is
currently modifying its system to accurately handle the Year 2000 issue.

The  Managing  General  Partner has not completed  its  evaluation  of  its
vendors  or  suppliers systems to determine the effect, if  any,  the  non-
compliance  of  such systems would have on the operations of  the  Managing
General  Partner.  Plans are under way to perform an audit in late 1998  or
early  1999  to determine the effect of non-compliance of its  vendors  and
suppliers  on the Managing General Partner and thus formulate a contingency
plan.

A  potential source of risk includes, but is not limited to, the  inability
of  principal  purchasers and suppliers to be year  2000  compliant,  which
could  have a material effect on the Managing General Partner's production,
cash  flow  and overall financial condition, notwithstanding  the  Managing
General  Partner's  actions to prepare its own  information  systems.   The
Managing  General  Partner currently does not have a  contingency  plan  in
place to cover any unforeseen problems encountered that relate to the  year
2000, but intends to produce one before the end of the fiscal year.


<PAGE>
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
                                     

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

         None

Item 2.  Changes in Securities

         None

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

         None

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

         None

Item 5.  Other Information

         None

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

         (a)Exhibits:

             27 Financial Data Schedule

             (b)  No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter for
             which this report is filed.
            
            
<PAGE>

                                SIGNATURES


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

                                   Southwest Oil and Gas Income Fund VIII-
                                   A, L.P.
                                   a Delaware limited partnership

                                   By:  Southwest Royalties, Inc.
                                        Managing General Partner


                                   By:  /s/ Bill E. Coggin
                                        ------------------------------
                                        Bill E. Coggin, Vice President
                                        and Chief Financial Officer

Date:     November 15, 1998

<PAGE>