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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2002

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

For the Transition Period Ended _______________________

Commission File Number 2-84452-01

STERLING DRILLING FUND 1983-2

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

New York

(State or other jurisdiction of corporation or organization)

13-3167551

(IRS employer identification number)

One Landmark Square, Stamford, Connecticut 06901

(Address and Zip Code of principal executive offices)

(203) 358-5700

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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

Yes /X/ No / /

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PART I

Item 1. Financial Statements

The following Financial Statements are filed herewith:

Balance Sheets - September 30, 2002 and December 31, 2001.

Statements of Operations for the Nine and Three Months Ended September 30, 2002 and 2001 .

Statements of Changes in Partners' Equity for the Nine and Three Months Ended September 30, 2002 and 2001.

Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002 and 2001.

Note to Financial Statements

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

Liquidity :

The oil and gas industry is intensely competitive in all its phases. There is also competition between this industry and other industries in supplying energy and fuel requirements of industrial and residential consumers. It is not possible for the Registrant to calculate its position in the industry as Registrant competes with many other companies having substantially greater financial and other resources. In accordance with the terms of the Prospectus as filed by the Registrant, the General Partners of the Registrant will make cash distributions of as much of the Partnership cash credited to the capital accounts of the Partners as the General Partners have determined is not necessary or desirable for the payment of contingent debts, liabilities or expenses for the conduct of the Partnership's business. As of June 30, 2001, the General Partners have distributed $2,142,640.50 or 13.65% of original Limited Partner capital contributions to the Limited Partners.

The net proved oil and gas reserves of the Partnership are considered to be a primary indicator of financial strength and future liquidity. Overall reservoir engineering is a subjective process of estimating underground accumulations of gas and oil that cannot be measured in an exact manner. The estimated reserve quantities and future income quantities are related to hydrocarbon prices. Therefore, volumes of reserves actually recovered and amounts of income actually received may differ significantly from the estimated quantities presented in this report.

In accordance with FASB Statement No. 69, December 31 market prices were determined using the daily oil price or daily gas sales price ("spot price") adjusted for oilfield or gas gathering hub and wellhead price differentials (e.g. grade, transportation, gravity, sulfur, and BS&W) as appropriate. Also, in accordance with SEC and FASB specifications, changes in market prices

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subsequent to December 31, 2000 and 2001 were not considered. The spot price for gas at December 31, 2000 was $9.23 per MMBTU. The range of spot prices during the year 2000 was a low of $2.14 and a high of $10.50 and the average was $4.28. The spot price for gas at December 31, 2001 was $2.63 per MMBTU. The range of spot prices during the year 2001 was a low of $1.77 and a high of $10.29 and the average was $3.94. . The range during the first nine months of 2002 has been from $1.98 to $4.10 with an average of $3.18. The recent futures market prices have been in the $3.94 range. The Partnership actually received an average price for gas sold of $3.35 during the first nine months of 2002.

The present value of unescalated future net revenues (S.E.C. case) associated with such reserves, discounted at 10% as of December 31, 2001, was approximately $1,476,995 as compared to the discounted reserves as of December 31, 2000, which were approximately $7,413,300. While it may reasonably be anticipated that the prices received by Sterling Drilling Fund 1983-2 for the sale of its production may be higher or lower than the prices used in this evaluation, as described above, and the operating costs relating to such production may also increase or decrease from existing levels, such possible changes in prices and costs were, in accordance with rules adopted by the SEC, omitted from consideration in making this evaluation for the SEC case. Actual volumes produced, prices received and costs incurred by the Partnership may vary significantly from the SEC case.

Capital Resources :

The Registrant was formed for the sole intention of drilling oil and gas wells. The Registrant entered into a drilling contract with an independent contractor in December 1983 for $13,400,000. Pursuant to terms of this contract, fifty-two wells have been drilled resulting in fifty-one producing wells and one dry hole.

During 2002, PrimeEnergy Management negotiated a Farmout Agreement with Ardent Resources Inc. covering leasehold interests in acres located in Calhoun County, West Virginia. Pursuant to this agreement, Ardent has the right but not the obligation to select acreage and drill a deep well on the selected acreage, subject to an overriding royalty interest due to the leasehold owners. If a test well is not spudded by February 13, 2005 this agreement terminates. Acerage held by Sterling Drilling Fund 1983-2 was included in the Farmout Agreement, PrimeEnergy Management may discuss the possibility of farming out additional deep rights held by the Partnership under the same terms with other parties, however, there is no guarantee that any agreement will be entered into.

Results of Operations :

The Partnership experienced slight declines in both its gas and oil production, from 106,493 MCF and 1,355 BBLS in 2001 to 96,259 MCF and 1,117- BBLS in 2002. The average price per MCF received for gas sold was $5.52 in 2001 and $3.35 in 2002. The production volume variations can be a result of changes in transportation line pressures, miscellaneous shut-ins for maintence and natural declines. The combination of lower average gas prices and slight reductions in oil and gas production resulted in an decrease in operating revenue from $620,657 in 2001 to $344,773 in 2002. A new contract was entered into in December 2001 and the Partnership was paid based upon monthly spot market prices through May 2002. The General

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Partners elected to sell a substantial portion of the gas delivered under this contract from June 2002 through October 2002 at a fixed price of $3.57 per MMBTU subject to transportation costs. The operator determined that supplementary repairs were necessary to maintain various wells production. These repairs include well treatments, miscellaneous part replacements, location work, labor and roadwork to access the well site. These workover expenses totaled $31,693.82 included in the current quarters lease operating total. Overall production costs decreased slightly from $236,773 in 2001 to $230,642 in 2002.

The Partnership's other income is a result of a cash bonus paid to the Partnership under a farmout agreement. The farmout agreement allows a third party the right to drill a deep well on leasehold acerage owned by the Partnership. If the third party exercises their rights the Partnership could receive an overriding royalty interest. The amount of the cash bonus paid to the Partnership is $28,523.

Management continues to minimize third party costs and use in-house resources to provide efficient and timely services to the Partnership. The related party general and administrative expenses are charged in accordance with guidelines set forth in the Registrant's Management Agreement and are attributable to the affairs and operations of the Partnership and shall not exceed an annual amount equal to 5% of the Limited Partners capital contributions. Amounts related to both 2001 and 2002 are substantially less than the amounts allocable to the Registrant under the Partnership Agreement.

The Partnership records additional depreciation, depletion and amortization to the extent that net capitalized costs exceed the undiscounted future net cash flows attributable to the Partnership properties. The Partnership was not required to revise the properties basis in 2001 or during the first nine months of 2002. The current depreciation was reasonable based upon the remaining basis in the Partnership properties.

PART II

Items 1 through 5 have been omitted in that each item is either inapplicable or the answer is negative.

Item 6: Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a) Exhibit 99: Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant To Section 906 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

(b)Form 8-K: The Partnership was not required to file any reports on Form 8-K and no such form was filed during the period covered by this report.

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S I G N A T U R E S

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

STERLING DRILLING FUND 1983-2

(Registrant)

By: /S/ Charles E. Drimal Jr.

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

Charles E. Drimal, Jr

General Partner

November 8, 2002

(Date)

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STERLING DRILLING FUND 1983-2

(a New York Limited Partnership)

Balance Sheets

		September 30, 2002		December 31, 2001
		(unaudited)		(audited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	116,558	$	385,775
Due from affiliates		41,033		25,732
		-------------		-------------
Total current assets		157,591		411,507
		------------		-------------
Oil and gas properties - successful efforts method
Leasehold costs		497,639		497,639
Well and related facilities		13,071,867		13,071,867
less accumulated depreciation, depletion and
Amortization		(12,523,059)		(12,473,750)
		---------------		---------------
		1,046,447		1,095,756
		---------------		---------------
Total assets	$	1,204,038	$	1,507,263
		=========		=========
Partners' equity
Limited partners	$	1,173,963	$	1,413,464
General partners		30,075		93,799
		---------------		---------------
Total partners' equity	$	1,204,038	$	1,507,263
		=========		=========

See accompanying note to financial statements.

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STERLING DRILLING FUND 1983-2

(a New York Limited Partnership)

Statement of Operations

(unaudited)

Nine Months Ending

September 30, 2002

		Limited Partners	General Partners		Total
Revenue:
Operating revenue	$	263,751	81,022	$	344,773
Interest income		2,359	219		2,578
Other income		21,820	6,703		28,523
		-----------	-----------		-----------
Total Revenue		287,930	87,944		375,874
		-----------	-----------		-----------

Costs and Expenses:
Production expense		176,441	54,201		230,642
General and administrative to a related party		57,834	17,766		75,600
General and administrative		12,583	3,865		16,448
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		45,118	4,191		49,309
		-----------	-----------		-----------
Total Costs and Expenses		291,976	80,023		371,999
		-----------	-----------		-----------
Net Income	$	(4,046)	7,921	$	3,875
		=======	=======		=======
Net Income per equity unit	$	(.26)
		=======

See accompanying note to financial statements.

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STERLING DRILLING FUND 1983-2

(a New York Limited Partnership)

Statement of Operations

(unaudited)

Nine Months Ending

September 30, 2001

		Limited Partners	General Partners		Total
Revenue:
Operating revenue	$	474,803	145,854	$	620,657
Interest income		5,453	507		5,960
Other Income		14,947	1,388		16,335
		-----------	-----------		-----------
Total Revenue		495,203	147,749		642,952
		-----------	-----------		-----------

Costs and Expenses:
Production expense		219,189	67,332		286,521
General and administrative to a related party		57,834	17,766		75,600
General and administrative		10,596	3,255		13,851
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		46,233	4,295		50,528
		-----------	-----------		-----------
Total Costs and Expenses		333,852	92,648		426,500
		-----------	-----------		-----------
Net Income/	$	161,351	55,101	$	216,452
		=======	=======		=======
Net Income per equity unit	$	10.28
		=======

See accompanying note to financial statements.

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STERLING DRILLING FUND 1983-2

(a New York Limited Partnership)

Statement of Operations

(unaudited)

Three Months Ending

September 30, 2002

		Limited Partners	General Partners		Total
Revenue:
Operating revenue	$	99,745	30,641	$	130,386
Interest income		323	30		353
Other Income		3,770	1,158		4,928
		---------	--------		--------
Total Revenue		103,838	31,829		135,667
		---------	--------		--------

Costs and Expenses:
Production expense		58,696	18,031		76,727
General and administrative to a related party		19,278	5,922		25,200
General and administrative		2,513	771		3,284
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		15,039	1,397		16,436
		---------	--------		--------
Total Costs and Expenses		95,526	26,121		121,647
		---------	--------		--------
Net Income	$	8,312	5,708	$	14,020
		=======	======		======
Net Income per equity unit	$	.53
		=======

See accompanying note to the financial statements.

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STERLING DRILLING FUND 1983-2

(a New York Limited Partnership)

Statement of Operations

(unaudited)

Three Months Ending

September 30, 2001

		Limited Partners	General Partners		Total
Revenue:
Operating revenue	$	130,820	40,186	$	171,006
Interest income		1,623	151		1,774
		---------	--------		--------
Total Revenue		132,443	40,337		172,780
		---------	--------		--------

Costs and Expenses:
Production expense		79,110	24,302		103,412
General and administrative to a related party		19,278	5,922		25,200
General and administrative		4,312	1,324		5,636
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		15,411	1,431		16,842
		---------	--------		--------
Total Costs and Expenses		118,111	32,979		151,090
		---------	--------		--------
Net Income	$	14,332	7,358	$	21,690
		=======	======		======
Net Income per equity unit	$	.91
		======

See accompanying note to the financial statements.

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STERLING DRILLING FUND 1983-2

(a New York Limited Partnership)

Statement of Changes in Partners' Equity

(unaudited)

Nine Months Ending

September 30, 2002

		Limited Partners	General Partners		Total

Balance at beginning of period	$	1,413,464	93,799	$	1,507,263
Partner's Contributions		0	684		684
Cash Distributions		(235,455)	(72,329)		(307,784)
Net Income		(4,046)	7,921		3,875
		------------	-----------		-----------
Balance at end of period	$	1,173,963	30,075	$	1,204,038
		=======	=======		=======

Nine Months Ending

September 30, 2001

		Limited Partners	General Partners			Total

Balance at beginning of period	$	1,281,564	39,574	$		1,321,138
Partner's Contributions		0	225			225
Cash Distributions		(78,485)	(22,835)			(101,320)
Net Income		161,351	55,101			216,452
		------------	-----------			-----------
Balance at end of period	$	1,364,430	72,065		$	1,436,495
		=======	=======			========

See accompanying note to the financial statements.

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STERLING DRILLING FUND 1983-2

(a New York Limited Partnership)

Statement of Changes in Partners' Equity

(unaudited)

Three Months Ending

September 30, 2002

		Limited Partners	General Partners		Total

Balance at beginning of period	$	1,165,651	23,683	$	1,189,334
Partners' Contribution		0	684		684
Net Income		8,312	5,708		14,020
		------------	------------		------------
Balance at end of period	$	1,173,963	30,075	$	1,204,038
		=======	=======		=======

Three Months Ending

September 30, 2001

		Limited Partners	General Partners		Total

Balance at beginning of period	$	1,350,098	64,707	$	1,414,805
Partners' Contribution
Net Income		14,332	7,358		21,690
		------------	------------		------------
Balance at end of period	$	1,364,430	72,065	$	1,436,495
		=======	=======		=======

See accompanying note to the financial statements.

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STERLING DRILLING FUND 1983-2

(a New York Limited Partnership)

Statement of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

		Nine months Ended September 30, 2002		Nine months Ended September 30, 2001

Net cash provided by(used in) operating activities	$	37,883	$	214,934
		----------		----------

Cash flows from financing activities:
Partners contributions		684		225
Distribution to partners		(307,784)		(101,320)
		----------		----------
Net cash used in financing activities		(307,100)		(101,095)
		----------		----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investments in wells and well
Related facilities		0		0
		----------		----------
		0		0
Net cash (used by) investing activities
		----------		----------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(269,217)		113,839
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		385,775		154,612
		----------		----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	116,558	$	268,451
		======		======

See accompanying note to financial statements.

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STERLING DRILLING FUND 1983-2

(a New York limited partnership)

Note to Financial Statements

September 30, 2002

1. The accompanying statements for the period ending September 30, 2002, are unaudited but reflect all adjustments necessary to present fairly the results of operations.

STERLING DRILLING FUND 1983-2 10-Q