<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF R&B FALCON CORPORATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 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> 9-MOS 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000 SEP-30-1999
<CASH> 259 646
<SECURITIES> 74 32
<RECEIVABLES> 280 263
<ALLOWANCES> 15 19
<INVENTORY> 69 45
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 710 1,000
<PP&E> 4,612 4,115
<DEPRECIATION> 781 625
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 4,841 4,913
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 331 269
<BONDS> 2,901 2,943
316 264
0 0
<COMMON> 2 2
<OTHER-SE> 1,151 1,248
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 4,841 4,913
<SALES> 0 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 721 685
<CGS> 0 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 598 639
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 163 117
<INCOME-PRETAX> (36) (38)
<INCOME-TAX> (8) (14)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (41) (33)
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 (2)
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> (81) (56)
<EPS-BASIC> (.42) (.29)
<EPS-DILUTED> (.42) (.29)
</TABLE>