<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
OF ROWAN COMPANIES, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 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>
<S> <C>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 176,902
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 110,359
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 113,251
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 425,869
<PP&E> 2,084,189
<DEPRECIATION> 952,637
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,570,774
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 95,077
<BONDS> 337,826
0
0
<COMMON> 11,783
<OTHER-SE> 987,049
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,570,774
<SALES> 41,030
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 270,891
<CGS> 27,977
<TOTAL-COSTS> 244,964
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,530
<INCOME-PRETAX> 27,539
<INCOME-TAX> 10,339
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 17,200
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 17,200
<EPS-BASIC> 0.19
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.19
</TABLE>