READING & BATES CORP
8-K, 1996-11-14
DRILLING OIL & GAS WELLS
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                       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

                       Date of Report:  November 14, 1996

                           READING & BATES CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

       Delaware                    1-5587                  73-0642271    
     (State or other             (Commission            (I.R.S. Employer
     jurisdiction of            File Number)          Identification No.)
     incorporation)

                901 Threadneedle, Suite 200, Houston, TX   77079  
              (Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

  Registrant's telephone number, including area code  (713) 496-5000


  Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits

     (c)  Exhibits

               Exhibit 99 - Press Release dated Novmeber 13, 1996  -  Reading
                            & Bates announces completion of new $300  million
                            syndicated credit facility.

                                    SIGNATURE


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


                                      READING & BATES CORPORATION


                                      By  /s/T. W. Nagle 
                                          ------------------------
                                          T. W. Nagle
                                          Executive Vice President, 
                                          Finance and Administration 
                                          (Principal Financial and
                                          Accounting Officer)


  Dated: November 14, 1996

                                                                   EXHIBIT 99

     Internet Address:  http://www.rdgbat.com


  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        Contact:  Mr. Charles R. Ofner
                                                               (713) 496-5000


           Reading & Bates Corporation Announces New Credit Facility

  November 13,  1996, Houston, Texas.....Reading  & Bates Corporation (NYSE:
  RB) announced today it has completed  a new $300 million syndicated credit
  facility,  led by  Christiania Bank  og Kreditkasse,  New York  Branch, as
  administrative  agent  and  arranger.    The  new  facility  replaced  the
  Company's prior $140 million credit facility also led by Christiania Bank.
  Proceeds of  the facility  will be available for  debt repayment,  working
  capital and general corporate purposes.

  The  financing  consists of  a five  year revolving  credit and  letter of
  credit  line  totaling  $300  million, with  mandatory  reductions in  the
  facility of  $25 million each  on a  semi-annual basis commencing May  13,
  1999 and the final reduction due at maturity.   The terms of  the facility
  allow the Company to borrow the  undrawn available balance, on a revolving
  credit basis,  with the Letter of  Credit line having  a $30  million sub-
  limit.   Approximately $155  million of funded debt  remained undrawn  and
  available to the Company after close.

  Credit  Lyonnais, New York Branch,  and Banque  Indosuez are documentation
  agents.  Eight other banks also participated in the loan syndication.

  Reading & Bates  is a  New York Stock Exchange  listed company,  providing
  offshore drilling  services  throughout  the  world.    Its  wholly  owned
  subsidiary,  Reading   &  Bates  Development   Co.,  provides   technical,
  construction, and project management services to the upstream offshore oil
  and gas industry worldwide.

                                   #   #   #


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