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



                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

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


                                October 17, 2001
                                 Date of Report
                        (Date of earliest event reported)



                              NUEVO ENERGY COMPANY
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


         Delaware                         0-10537               76-0304436
(State or other jurisdiction     (Commission File Number)     (I.R.S. Employer
    of incorporation)                                        Identification No.)

                          1021 Main Street, Suite 2100
                              Houston, Texas 77002
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)


                                 (713) 652-0706
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


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






ITEM 1. CHANGES IN CONTROL OF REGISTRANT.

        Not applicable to this filing.

ITEM 2. ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.

        Not applicable to this filing.

ITEM 3. BANKRUPTCY OR RECEIVERSHIP.

        Not applicable to this filing.

ITEM 4. CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANTS.

        Not applicable to this filing.

ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.

        Not applicable to this filing.

ITEM 6. RESIGNATION OF REGISTRANT'S DIRECTORS.

        Not applicable to this filing.

ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.

  (a)   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BUSINESS ACQUIRED.

        Not applicable to this filing.

  (b)   PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION.

        Not applicable to this filing.

  (c)   EXHIBITS.

      EXHIBIT
      NUMBER                     TITLE OF DOCUMENT
      -------                    -----------------
       99.1       Nuevo Energy Company Third Quarter 2001 Financial Guidance

ITEM 8. CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR.

        Not applicable to this filing.

ITEM 9. REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.

        The information attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 is incorporated herein
by reference.






                                   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 hereunto duly authorized.

                                       NUEVO ENERGY COMPANY


                                       By: /s/  Robert M. King
                                           ------------------------------
  Dated:  October 17, 2001                 Robert M. King
                                           Senior Vice President and Chief
                                           Financial Officer








                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


      EXHIBIT
      NUMBER                     TITLE OF DOCUMENT
      -------                    -----------------

       99.1       Nuevo Energy Company Third Quarter 2001 Financial Guidance