<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ROWAN COMPANIES, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 INCLUDED IN ITS FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD THEN
ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 169,601
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 142,786
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 109,263
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 437,438
<PP&E> 2,132,450
<DEPRECIATION> 966,101
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,616,531
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 94,151
<BONDS> 351,095
0
0
<COMMON> 11,794
<OTHER-SE> 1,014,916
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,616,531
<SALES> 67,314
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 461,740
<CGS> 47,347
<TOTAL-COSTS> 394,409
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,775
<INCOME-PRETAX> 67,772
<INCOME-TAX> 25,013
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 42,759
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 42,759
<EPS-BASIC> 0.46
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.45
</TABLE>