<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements of R&B Falcon Corporation for the six months ended
June 30, 2000 and 1999 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000 JUN-30-1999
<CASH> 295 506
<SECURITIES> 65 176
<RECEIVABLES> 209 232
<ALLOWANCES> 17 19
<INVENTORY> 69 44
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 656 980
<PP&E> 4,496 3,992
<DEPRECIATION> 747 593
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 4,748 4,712
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 296 268
<BONDS> 2,910 2,710
302 252
0 0
<COMMON> 2 2
<OTHER-SE> 1,120 1,281
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 4,748 4,712
<SALES> 0 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 419 470
<CGS> 0 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 418 429
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 103 71
<INCOME-PRETAX> (93) (9)
<INCOME-TAX> (28) (3)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (68) (13)
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> (95) (22)
<EPS-BASIC> (.49) (.11)
<EPS-DILUTED> (.49) (.11)
</TABLE>