FALCON DRILLING CO INC
S-3, 1996-11-07
DRILLING OIL & GAS WELLS
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<PAGE>   1
 
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON NOVEMBER 7, 1996
 
                                                    REGISTRATION NO. 333-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
                         FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
                     DELAWARE                                          76-0351754
          (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                           (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
          INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                           IDENTIFICATION NO.)
</TABLE>
 
                              1900 WEST LOOP SOUTH
                                   SUITE 1800
                              HOUSTON, TEXAS 77027
                                 (713) 623-8984
  (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
                   REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
                            ------------------------
 
                               STEVEN A. WEBSTER
                         FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC.
                        1900 WEST LOOP SOUTH, SUITE 1800
                              HOUSTON, TEXAS 77027
                                 (713) 623-8984
 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
                            ------------------------
                                   Copies to:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
              EDWIN T. MARKHAM, ESQ.                              DAVID J. GRAHAM, ESQ.
                  PARSON & BROWN                                 ANDREWS & KURTH L.L.P.
                 666 THIRD AVENUE                               4200 TEXAS COMMERCE TOWER
             NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10017                             HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002
                  (212) 551-9875                                     (713) 220-4200
</TABLE>
 
     APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
 
     If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box.  [ ]
 
     If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box.  [ ]
 
     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.  [ ]
 
     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  [ ]
 
     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.  [ ]
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         PROPOSED          PROPOSED
                                                         MAXIMUM           MAXIMUM          AMOUNT OF
                                     AMOUNT TO BE    AGGREGATE PRICE      AGGREGATE        REGISTRATION
 TITLE OF SHARES TO BE REGISTERED     REGISTERED        PER SHARE       OFFERING PRICE        FEE(1)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>
Common Stock, par value $.01 per
  share...........................  8,050,000 Shares       $32.94        $265,167,000        $80,354
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) Fee calculated pursuant to Rule 457(c) based on the average of the high and
    low sales prices reported on the NASDAQ National Market on November 6, 1996.
 
     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
***************************************************************************
*                                                                         *
*  INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A  *
*  REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED     *
*  WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT  *
*  BE SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE        *
*  REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT    *
*  CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY     *
*  NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH  *
*  SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO            *
*  REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH    *
*  STATE.                                                                 *
*                                                                         *
***************************************************************************

 
                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED NOVEMBER 7, 1996

                                7,000,000 Shares

[FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. LOGO]

                         Falcon Drilling Company, Inc.
                                 Common Stock
                               ($.01 par value)

                               ------------------
 
 Of the 7,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value ("Common Stock"), of
    Falcon Drilling Company, Inc. ("Falcon" or the "Company") being offered
     hereby, 3,000,000 shares are being sold by the Company and 4,000,000
    shares are being sold by the Selling Stockholders. The Company will not
      receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares by the Selling
     Stockholders. See "Selling Stockholders." Of the 7,000,000 shares of
      Common Stock being offered,             shares are initially being
      offered in the United States and Canada (the "U.S. Shares") by the
      U.S. Underwriters (the "U.S. Offering") and             shares are
        initially being concurrently offered outside the United States
         and Canada (the "International Shares") by the Managers (the
             "International Offering" and, together with the U.S.
               Offering, the "Offering"). The offering price and
              underwriting discounts and commissions of the U.S.
                  Offering and the International Offering are
              identical. The Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq
               Stock Market under the symbol "FLCN." On November
                  6, 1996 the last reported sale price of the
                Common Stock was $32.63 per             share.
                      See "Price Range of Common Stock."
 
                             ---------------------
 
FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN CONNECTION WITH
        AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMMON STOCK, SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE 7.

                             ---------------------

   THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
        AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR
            HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE
             SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR AD-
                 EQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION
                    TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Underwriting                    Proceeds to
                                                 Price to     Discounts and    Proceeds to       Selling
                                                  Public       Commissions      Company(1)     Stockholders
                                             ------------     -------------    -----------     ------------
<S>                                          <C>              <C>              <C>             <C>
Per Share...................................        $              $               $               $
Total (2)...................................        $              $               $               $
</TABLE>
 
(1) Before deduction of expenses payable by the Company, estimated at
    $            .
(2) The Company and certain of the Selling Stockholders have granted the U.S.
    Underwriters and the Managers an option, exercisable by CS First Boston
    Corporation for 30 days from the date of this Prospectus, to purchase a
    maximum of 250,000 additional shares of Common Stock from the Company and a
    maximum of 800,000 shares of additional outstanding shares from such Selling
    Stockholders to cover over-allotments of shares. If the option is exercised
    in full, the total Price to Public will be $            , Underwriting
    Discounts and Commissions will be $            , Proceeds to Company will be
    $            , and Proceeds to Selling Stockholders will be $            .
 
     The U.S. Shares are offered by the several U.S. Underwriters when, as and
if issued by the Company, delivered to and accepted by the U.S. Underwriters and
subject to their right to reject orders in whole or in part. It is expected that
the U.S. Shares will be ready for delivery on or about           , 1996, against
payment in immediately available funds.
 
CS First Boston

              Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
                 Securities Corporation

                              Salomon Brothers Inc

                                            Schroder Wertheim & Co.

                                                               Simmons & Company
                                                                 International

               The date of this Prospectus is November   , 1996.
<PAGE>   3
                                         PEREGRINE I --

                                          DYNAMICALLY

                                      POSITIONED DRILLSHIP

                                     FOR DEEPWATER SERVICE

                    The Company owns three dynamically positioned drillships.
                    The dynamic positioning system allows the ship to position
                    itself over the drill site through the use of thrusters
                    controlled by a satellite navigation system. These
   [PHOTO OF        drillships feature the same drilling equipment typical of
 DRILLING RIG]      other offshore rigs but are uniquely suited to operate in
                    extremely deep water. there are currently only eight active
                    dynamically positioned drillships. Two of the Company's
                    drillships are currently working offshore Brazil under long
                    term contracts with Petrobras, the third drillship
                    contracted to Shell, Exxon and BHP under multi-well
                    contracts for work offshore Australia and West Africa.



                                        PHOENIX III --

                                       CANTILEVERED MAT-

                                     SUPPORTED JACKUP RIG

                    A jackup rig is designed to provide a stable drilling
                    platform for exploration, development and workover
                    activities in offshore waters. The units are towed to
                    location, where the hull is elevated above the water surface
                    on connected support legs. The Company's rigs feature a mat,
                    to which the legs are connected, which sits on the seabed.
                    Mat rigs are particularly suited for soft bottom conditions
                    such as exist in the Gulf of Mexico. The hull features
                    multiple levels which contain the drilling equipment and
  [PHOTO OF         crew quarters. Six of the Company's jackup units feature a 
DRILLING RIG]       cantilevered drill floor which can be moved away from the
                    hull to work over an existing platform structure. These
                    units are capable of working in up to 200 feet of water with
                    25,000 foot drilling capability. The Company also operates
                    ten slot-type units, which do not feature a cantilevered
                    drill floor but are rated to work in up to 250 feet of
                    water, and three submersible offshore rigs which work in up
                    to 85 feet of water with a cantilevered drill floor.

IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, CS FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION ON BEHALF OF THE
U.S. UNDERWRITERS AND THE MANAGERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT TRANSACTIONS WHICH
STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICES OF THE COMMON STOCK AT A LEVEL ABOVE
THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE
EFFECTED ON THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET OR OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF
COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.

IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, CERTAIN U.S. UNDERWRITERS AND MANAGERS (AND
SELLING GROUP MEMBERS, IF ANY) AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES MAY ENGAGE IN
PASSIVE MARKET MAKING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON STOCK ON THE NASDAQ STOCK
MARKET IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 10b-6A UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934. (SEE "UNDERWRITING.")

DURING THIS OFFERING, CERTAIN PERSONS AFFILIATED WITH PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN
THE DISTRIBUTION MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS FOR THEIR OWN ACCOUNTS OR FOR THE
ACCOUNTS OF OTHERS IN THE COMMON STOCK PURSUANT TO EXEMPTIONS FROM RULES 10b-6,
10b-7, AND 10b-8 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
<PAGE>   4
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by and should be read in
conjunction with the detailed information and consolidated financial statements,
including the notes thereto, appearing elsewhere or incorporated by reference in
this Prospectus.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Falcon provides contract drilling and workover services for the domestic
and international oil and gas industry. Falcon owns and operates the largest
fleet of barge drilling rigs in the world, the largest fleet of mat-supported
offshore drilling rigs in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, and three of the world's
eight currently active dynamically positioned drillships.
 
     Falcon's strategy is to identify contract drilling markets which have
experienced an excess supply of equipment, but where Falcon expects a
substantial increase in future demand due in large part to the effect of
technology on drilling economics. By entering these markets, Falcon has been
able to acquire equipment on attractive terms and establish a significant
presence in such markets, thereby creating opportunities for profitable growth.
 
     The initial focus of Falcon's strategy was the barge drilling business.
Historically, the largest such market has been in the U.S. Gulf Coast,
principally South Louisiana, where barge drilling and workover activity has been
increasing. Falcon's management believes that this increasing activity is
primarily attributable to attractive prospects in the area for deep natural gas
drilling, increased 3-D seismic survey activity and the mid-1994 settlement of a
long standing dispute between the State of Louisiana and Texaco, the area's
largest leaseholder. Falcon subsequently expanded into complementary businesses,
including the Venezuelan shallow-water rig market and the U.S. Gulf Coast barge
workover market. Falcon also began building a significant presence in the U.S.
Gulf of Mexico offshore drilling market, as demand began to rebound from
historically low levels in the early 1990s.
 
     In late 1995, Falcon began building a significant presence in the deepwater
market with an initial emphasis on dynamically positioned drillships. Deepwater
oil and gas exploration and production costs are being significantly reduced by
improvements in technology. In addition, privatization initiatives and greater
political stability in many oil and gas producing regions of the world have
broadened access to attractive deepwater acreage. Management believes that these
developments will lead to increased demand for drilling equipment with greater
water depth capability. Falcon targeted dynamically positioned drillships for
acquisition because their water depth capability can be efficiently upgraded
with existing technology to service ultra deepwater locations.
 
OPERATIONS
 
     Domestic Barge Drilling Rigs. Falcon entered the barge drilling business in
1988, and currently operates 25 of the 32 barge drilling rigs with rated
drilling capacity of 14,000 feet or deeper that are actively marketed in the
U.S. Gulf Coast area. Falcon also owns 15 units which are cold stacked and which
it believes represent substantially all of the existing barge rigs with deep
drilling capacity that are located in the U.S. Gulf Coast market but are not
currently being actively marketed.
 
     Domestic Barge Workover Rigs. In 1994, Falcon expanded into the
shallow-water oil and gas well workover and service business. Currently, Falcon
operates ten workover and shallow drilling rigs in the U.S. Gulf Coast area and
is the second largest barge rig workover contractor in the United States. Due to
a substantial overlap in the customer base for these activities, this business
enhances Falcon's position as the leading supplier of barge rig services in the
shallow-water markets generally.
 
     Domestic Offshore Rigs. Falcon commenced offshore operations in late 1992
in order to take advantage of improving demand in the Gulf of Mexico, where it
now operates 15 mat-supported jackup rigs, the largest such fleet in the
industry, and two submersible rigs.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
     International Shallow-Water Drilling Rigs. In 1994, Falcon began to expand
its international operations in order to capitalize on the attractive day rates
and longer terms typical of international drilling contracts and the opportunity
to utilize cold stacked barge rigs. Falcon currently operates three modified
barge rigs in Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela, under contracts with Maraven, S.A.
("Maraven"), a subsidiary of Venezuela's state-owned oil company. Falcon also
operates a jackup rig in West Africa and a submersible rig in Venezuela.
 
     Deepwater Rigs. During 1996, Falcon commenced operation of three
dynamically positioned drillships that can operate in water depths ranging from
3,300 feet to 6,750 feet. Two of these units, Peregrine I and Peregrine II, are
working offshore Brazil under term contracts with Petroleo Brasileiro, S.A.
("Petrobras"). The third drillship, Peregrine III, is committed under a
multi-well contract to work for subsidiaries of Shell and Exxon in West Africa,
following completion of current operations in Australia. The Company intends to
continue to expand its deepwater operations. The Company has contracted to
purchase the hull for a fourth dynamically positioned drillship (the Peregrine
IV), which Falcon currently plans to complete with a water depth capability in
excess of 9,000 feet. In October 1996, Falcon announced plans to acquire two
conventionally moored drillships, the Deepsea Ice and the Deepsea Duchess, which
compete with semisubmersible drilling rigs. Demand for semi-submersibles has
increased significantly, which management believes will improve the prospects
for these units. Falcon also owns the Pacesetter III, a cold stacked
semisubmersible drilling rig, which it plans to upgrade and reactivate.
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                             <C>
Common Stock offered
  By the Company.............................   3,000,000 shares
  By the Selling Stockholders................   4,000,000 shares
          Total..............................   7,000,000 shares

Common Stock offered for sale in:
  U.S. Offering..............................              shares
  International Offering.....................              shares
Common Stock to be outstanding after the        38,546,650 shares
  Offering...................................
Use of proceeds..............................   To expand the Company's deepwater operations
                                                through the acquisition of additional rigs
                                                and the refurbishment and upgrade of certain
                                                of its existing rigs, and to repay amounts
                                                outstanding under the Company's working
                                                capital facility.
Nasdaq Stock Market symbol...................   "FLCN"
</TABLE>
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
                  SUMMARY HISTORICAL FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
 
     The following table presents summary consolidated financial data derived
from Falcon's financial statements. The information in the table should be read
in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" and the consolidated financial statements and the
notes thereto included elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                  SEPTEMBER 30,
                                             YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,               (UNAUDITED)
                                        ---------------------------------     ---------------------
                                         1993         1994         1995         1995         1996
                                        -------     --------     --------     --------     --------
<S>                                     <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
                                                   (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
  Revenues(1)........................   $61,840     $138,503     $177,505     $128,613     $220,965
  Operating costs....................    46,126       95,256      120,992       86,934      141,311
  General and administrative
     expenses........................     5,520       11,887       13,871       10,327       13,191
  Depreciation.......................     2,990        9,445       16,527       11,703       20,839
                                        -------     --------     --------     --------     --------
  Operating income...................     7,204       21,915       26,115       19,649       45,624
  Interest expense...................     2,743       12,046       18,021       13,277       18,158
  Amortization of deferred costs.....       538          690        2,140        1,642        2,108
  Foreign currency translation loss
     (gain)..........................        --           --       (1,023)          --           --
  Other expense (income).............      (927)      (1,969)      (2,850)      (2,359)      (3,283)
                                        -------     --------     --------     --------     --------
  Income before taxes and minority
     interest........................     4,850       11,148        9,827        7,089       28,641
  Income tax provision...............       952        3,232        3,481        2,319       10,597
                                        -------     --------     --------     --------     --------
  Income before minority interest....     3,898        7,916        6,346        4,770       18,044
  Minority interest..................        --        3,486        1,291        1,291           --
                                        -------     --------     --------     --------     --------
  Net income.........................     3,898        4,430        5,055        3,479       18,044
  Preferred stock dividends and
     accretion.......................       743          565          374          304           --
                                        -------     --------     --------     --------     --------
  Net income applicable to common
     shares..........................   $ 3,155     $  3,865     $  4,681     $  3,175     $ 18,044
                                        =======     ========     ========     ========     ========
  Net income per common share........   $  0.14     $   0.14     $   0.16     $   0.11     $   0.50
                                        =======     ========     ========     ========     ========
  Shares used to compute net income
     per common share................    21,899       26,880       29,593       28,243       35,991
                                        =======     ========     ========     ========     ========
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA:
  EBITDA(2)..........................   $11,121     $ 33,329     $ 45,492     $ 33,711     $ 69,746
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      AS OF
                                                                                  SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                                       1996
                                                                                  --------------
<S>                                                                               <C>
                                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Cash and cash equivalents....................................................      $  6,309
  Equipment and property, net..................................................       417,456
  Total assets.................................................................       513,724
  Debt due within one year.....................................................         3,124
  Long-term debt...............................................................       312,405
  Total stockholders' equity...................................................       134,615
</TABLE>
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,         SEPTEMBER 30,
                                              -----------------------------    ------------------
                                               1993       1994       1995       1995       1996
                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
<S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
RIG ACTIVITY DATA -- AVERAGE FOR PERIOD:
Domestic barge drilling rigs(3) --
  Rigs available for service................     14.5       17.0       18.4       18.3       21.5
  Utilization rate for rigs available for
     service................................       84%        69%        77%        81%        88%
  Average day rate(4).......................  $ 9,076    $11,974    $12,667    $12,635    $13,304
Domestic barge workover rigs(5) --
  Rigs available for service................       --        6.4        7.0        7.0        8.4
  Utilization rate of rigs available for
     service................................       --         58%        59%        58%        59%
  Average date rate(4)......................       --    $ 8,768    $ 8,858    $ 8,967    $ 8,921
Domestic offshore rigs --
  Rigs available for service(6)(7)..........       --       12.0       12.5       11.6       15.4
  Utilization rate of rigs available for
     service................................       --         85%        79%        78%        96%
  Average day rate(4).......................       --    $17,015    $15,060    $14,484    $19,144
International shallow-water rigs --
  Rigs available for service(6)(8)..........      1.0        0.7        4.0        4.0        4.7
  Utilization rate of rigs available for
     service................................       99%        99%        96%        99%        87%
  Average day rate(4).......................  $17,600    $21,162    $19,553    $19,550    $20,223
Deepwater rigs --
  Rigs available for service................       --         --         --         --        1.3
  Utilization rate of rigs available for
     service................................       --         --         --         --         94%
  Average day rate(4).......................       --         --         --         --    $52,666
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Revenues include management fee income of $2,987,000 and $92,000 for the
    years ended December 31, 1993 and 1994, respectively, from rigs owned by
    affiliates. No management fee income was earned in 1995 or the 1996 period,
    as rigs previously owned by affiliated entities were acquired by Falcon.
 
(2) EBITDA (earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation and
    amortization) is frequently used by securities analysts and is presented
    here to provide additional information about Falcon's operations. EBITDA
    should not be considered as an alternative to net income as an indicator of
    Falcon's operating performance or as an alternative to cash flows as a
    better measure of liquidity.
 
(3) Includes three rigs purchased in September 1994, which Falcon previously
    operated under a charter arrangement. Includes one rig leased to Falcon
    commencing in March 1996.
 
(4) Rates reflected are base day rates which do not include additional charges
    for marine and other equipment commonly furnished in connection with certain
    of the drilling contracts.
 
(5) Falcon's initial interest in the workover business was acquired April 1,
    1994. No results prior to that date are included herein. Includes two rigs
    leased to Falcon commencing in the first quarter of 1996.
 
(6) Rig 203, a submersible rig that was mobilized to Venezuela in November 1995,
    is included in domestic offshore rigs until that time and in international
    shallow-water rigs thereafter.
 
(7) Includes one rig operated under charter to Falcon through June 1995 and one
    rig operated under charter to Falcon since August 1996.
 
(8) Excludes two rigs operated in Venezuela by a joint venture in which Falcon
    has a 37.5% interest.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     Prospective investors should consider carefully the following factors, in
addition to the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus.
 
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
 
     The statements included herein regarding future financial performance and
results and the other statements that are not historical facts are
forward-looking statements. The words "expect," "project," "estimate," "predict"
and similar expressions are also intended to identify forward-looking
statements. Such statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions,
including, but not limited to, industry conditions, prices of crude oil and
natural gas, foreign currency exchange fluctuations and other factors discussed
below and in Falcon's other filings with the Commission. Should one or more of
these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove
incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated.
 
DEPENDENCE ON OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY; INDUSTRY CONDITIONS
 
     Falcon's operations are materially dependent upon the levels of activity in
oil and natural gas exploration, development and production. Such activity
levels are affected both by short-term and long-term trends in oil and natural
gas prices. In recent years, oil and natural gas prices and, therefore, the
level of drilling, exploration, development and production activity, have been
volatile. Worldwide military, political and economic events, including
initiatives by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, have
contributed to, and are likely to continue to contribute to, price volatility.
As events during recent years have demonstrated, any prolonged reduction in oil
and natural gas prices will depress the level of exploration, development and
production activity and result in a corresponding decline in the demand for
Falcon's services and, therefore, have a material adverse effect on Falcon's
revenues and profitability. Most of Falcon's equipment is currently in service
in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico shallow-water and offshore drilling markets where the
demand for drilling and related services is subject to substantial fluctuations.
In addition to adverse effects that future declines in demand could have on
Falcon, ongoing movement or reactivation of offshore rigs or new construction of
rigs could adversely affect day rates and utilization levels, even in an
environment of stronger natural gas prices and increased drilling activity.
Falcon can predict neither the future level of demand for its services nor
future conditions in the drilling industry.
 
     Increases in worldwide drilling demand since mid-1995 and the attendant
increase in the number of rigs operating has resulted in a shortage of qualified
rig personnel in the industry. If the Company is unable to attract and retain
sufficient qualified personnel, its ability to put cold stacked and newly
acquired rigs into service will be restricted. Further, labor shortages could
result in wage increases, which could, without offsetting increases in revenues,
reduce the Company's operating margins.
 
LEVERAGE AND LIQUIDITY
 
     Falcon is highly leveraged and will require substantial cash flow to meet
its debt service requirements. Falcon's ability to meet its debt obligations
will depend on Falcon's future performance, which is subject to general economic
and business factors beyond Falcon's control. The degree of Falcon's leverage
may affect Falcon's vulnerability to adverse economic, regulatory and industry
conditions; Falcon's ability to obtain additional financing to fund future
working capital requirements, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other
general corporate requirements; and the portion of Falcon's cash flow from
operations that must be dedicated to debt service requirements, thereby reducing
the funds available for operations and future business opportunities.
 
ENTRY INTO DEEPWATER DRILLING MARKET
 
     Falcon has a limited history of operating in the deepwater drilling market.
The deepwater market requires the use of floating rigs utilizing more
sophisticated technologies than those of the bottom-supported rigs that
previously constituted Falcon's offshore fleet. In addition, deepwater
operations are frequently conducted in
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
environments that are harsher than those typically encountered in shallow-water
operations. Falcon will be required to hire and retain personnel capable of
operating effectively in a deepwater environment. There can be no assurance that
Falcon will be successful in these efforts.
 
RISK OF UPGRADE AND REFURBISHMENT PROJECTS
 
     In connection with the expansion of its deepwater operations and
reactivation of certain of its barge drilling rigs, Falcon expects to make
substantial completion, upgrade and refurbishment capital expenditures. Such
projects are subject to the risks of delay or cost overruns inherent in any
large construction project, including shortages of materials or skilled labor,
unforeseen engineering problems, work stoppages, weather interference,
unanticipated cost increases, and inability to obtain any of the requisite
permits or approvals. Significant cost overruns or delays would adversely affect
Falcon's financial condition and results of operations. In particular, there is
a current shortage of certain types of drilling equipment that could delay and
increase the cost of the drillship projects. Significant delays could also
adversely affect Falcon's marketing plans for the drillships and could
jeopardize the long-term contracts under which Falcon plans to operate the
drillships.
 
FOREIGN OPERATIONS
 
     Falcon currently conducts operations in Venezuela, Brazil, Southeast Asia,
and West Africa. Operations in foreign countries generally are subject to
various risks associated with doing business outside the United States,
including risk of war, general strikes, civil disturbances, guerrilla activity,
foreign exchange restrictions, currency fluctuations and devaluations and
governmental activities that may limit or disrupt markets, restrict payments or
the movement of funds or result in the deprivation of contract rights or the
taking of property without fair compensation. Falcon may also encounter
difficulty in enforcing its contract rights in foreign countries, particularly
against state-owned oil companies. No prediction can be made as to what foreign
governmental regulations may be enacted in the future that could be applicable
to the drilling industry.
 
     Long-term contracts with Petrobras and Maraven, entities owned by foreign
governments, account for approximately 14% of the Company's current day rate
revenues. Initial payments to Falcon under the contract with Petrobras assigned
to Falcon in connection with the acquisition of the Peregrine II were delayed
pending Brazilian central bank approval of the assignment, which approval was
required in order for Petrobras to pay in U.S. dollars. In 1994, the Venezuelan
government imposed a program of currency exchange controls and taxes on certain
financial transactions that temporarily affected the ability of the state-owned
oil company and its affiliates, including Maraven, to make payments in U.S.
dollars or other hard currencies to oil service contractors. While this program
is no longer in effect and payments are presently being made to oil service
contractors, there is no assurance that they will continue to be made; any
similar government restrictions imposed in the future could adversely affect
Falcon's operations.
 
     Falcon records its transactions and prepares its financial statements in
U.S. dollars. Fluctuations in the value of the currencies in which Falcon
conducts its business relative to the U.S. dollar could cause currency
translation losses with respect to Falcon's foreign operations. Falcon cannot
predict the effect of exchange rate fluctuations upon future operating results.
 
RIG FLEET AGE
 
     The majority of Falcon's rigs were built during the years 1978-1982, the
period of the industry's most recent building cycle. With increasing age, the
likelihood that a rig will require major repairs in order to remain operational
increases. These repairs may result in rigs being unavailable for service from
time to time, potentially reducing the Company's revenues, and may require
increasing amounts of capital.
 
OPERATIONAL RISKS AND INSURANCE
 
     Falcon's operations are subject to the hazards inherent in the drilling
business, including blowouts, craterings, fires, collisions and groundings of
drilling equipment and damage or loss from adverse weather and seas. These
hazards could cause substantial damage to the environment, personal injury and
loss of life, suspend drilling operations or seriously damage or destroy the
property and equipment involved and could
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
cause substantial damage to producing formations and surrounding areas. Falcon's
offshore drilling equipment also is subject to hazards inherent in marine
operations, such as capsizing, grounding, collision and damage from weather or
sea conditions or unsound location. In addition, Falcon may be subject to
liability for oil spills, reservoir damage and other accidents that could cause
substantial damages. The occurrence of a significant event, including pollution
or environmental damage, could materially and adversely affect Falcon's
operations and financial condition. Moreover, no assurance can be given that
Falcon will be able to maintain adequate insurance in the future at rates it
considers reasonable or that any particular types of coverage will be available.
Falcon does not maintain business interruption insurance, and damage to its
equipment, even if such damage is covered by insurance, may result in a loss of
revenues against which Falcon is not insured.
 
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
     Falcon's operations are subject to governmental laws and regulations
relating to the protection of the environment and to health and safety. Many of
Falcon's operations take place in or near ecologically sensitive areas, such as
wetlands, beaches and inland waterways. Numerous federal and state environmental
laws regulate drilling activities and impose liability for causing pollution in
inland, coastal and offshore waters. State and federal legislation also provide
special protection to water quality and animal and marine life that could be
affected by Falcon's activities. The regulations applicable to Falcon's
operations include certain regulations controlling the release of materials into
the environment and requiring removal, remediation or response. Each of the
primary statutory and regulatory programs that apply to Falcon's operations
provides for civil penalties for violation of the requirements of the programs,
as well as citizen's suits, natural resource damages, potential injunctions,
cease and desist orders and civil and criminal penalties.
 
     Environmental regulation has led to higher drilling costs, a more difficult
and lengthy well permitting process and, in general, has adversely affected many
companies' decisions to drill wells in wetland areas of the U.S. Gulf Coast
market and, in some cases, in international markets. Prohibitions on drilling in
some areas are likely to remain in effect or even be extended. Such laws and
regulations may expose Falcon to liability for the conduct of, or conditions
caused by, others or for acts of Falcon that were in compliance with all
applicable laws at the time such acts were performed. Laws and regulations
protecting the environment have generally become more stringent in recent years
and could become more stringent in the future. Some environmental statutes
impose strict liability, rendering a person liable for environmental damage
without regard to negligence or fault on the part of such person.
 
RELIANCE ON MANAGEMENT
 
     Falcon relies on the services of several key individuals, including Steven
A. Webster, its Chief Executive Officer. The loss of the services of any of
these individuals could have a material adverse effect on Falcon.
 
COMPETITION
 
     Falcon experiences competition from other operators in all of the drilling
markets in which it operates. In international markets, Falcon faces competition
from newly constructed rigs and, in certain markets, from other types of rigs
that may be suitable for similar deployment, including jackup rigs in Lake
Maracaibo, Venezuela, and semisubmersible rigs in Brazil. The offshore drilling
market is highly competitive and no one competitor is dominant. While price is a
primary factor in the selection of drilling contractors, a contractor's safety
record, crew quality, service record and equipment capability are also important
factors. Certain of Falcon's competitors have greater financial resources than
Falcon.
 
CONTROL BY CERTAIN STOCKHOLDERS
 
     As of October 31, 1996, Falcon's executive officers and directors
beneficially owned approximately 47.8% of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock, and have the ability to control the election of Falcon's directors and
other matters requiring a stockholder vote.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
RESTRICTIONS ON FOREIGN OWNERSHIP
 
     Falcon, as the owner of U.S. flag vessels, is subject to restrictions on
transfer of a controlling interest in Falcon to non-U.S. citizens. Falcon's
Certificate of Incorporation currently prohibits more than 45% of the
outstanding equity securities of Falcon from being owned by non-U.S. citizens
for so long as Falcon directly or indirectly owns U.S. flag registry vessels.
The limitations imposed by Falcon's Certificate of Incorporation may at times
restrict the ability of Falcon's stockholders to transfer shares of their stock
to non-U.S. citizens.
 
CERTAIN PROVISIONS RELATING TO CHANGES IN CONTROL
 
     Falcon's Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws (i) restrict the ability
of Falcon's stockholders to call stockholders' meetings, (ii) provide that
Falcon's stockholders may not act by written consent, unless such action has
been approved by Falcon's Board of Directors, or change the number of directors,
(iii) provide for a staggered board and (iv) authorize the issuance of "blank
check" preferred stock. Additionally, Section 203 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law restricts certain "business combinations" between interested
stockholders and Falcon, which may render more difficult or tend to discourage
attempts to acquire Falcon. In addition, Falcon's debt instruments contain
provisions relating to changes in control. Such provisions and arrangements
could impede a merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination
involving Falcon or discourage a potential acquiror from making a tender offer
or otherwise attempting to obtain control of Falcon.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds to be received by the Company from the offering, after
deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses, are
estimated to be approximately $93 million. Such net proceeds will be used for
the expansion of the Company's deepwater operations through the acquisition of
additional drilling rigs and the refurbishment and upgrade of certain existing
rigs, and to repay amounts outstanding under the Company's working capital
facility.
 
     The Company has commitments to make a total of $40 million of expenditures
to expand and upgrade its rig fleet, including $25 million for the cash portion
of the purchase price for the Deepsea Ice and the Deepsea Duchess, two
conventionally moored drillships, $8 million for the purchase and initial
mobilization of the Peregrine IV drillship hull, and $7 million for the upgrade
of the Peregrine III, a dynamically positioned drillship. In addition, the
Company intends to spend $25 million, subject to market conditions, to upgrade
the Pacesetter III, a semisubmersible, and another $13 million for an additional
upgrade of the Peregrine III, subject to the negotiation by the Company of
amendments to the current long-term contract for the Pacesetter III. See
"Business -- Deepwater Operations."
 
     The $25 million cash portion of the purchase price for the Deepsea Ice and
the Deepsea Duchess may be reduced to $5 million by causing the Deepsea Ice to
be purchased by a third party and leased to the Company.
 
     Proceeds of the Offering will be used initially to reduce outstanding debt
under the Company's revolving credit facility ($25 million as of November 1,
1996). To the extent proceeds are not applied to expand and upgrade the
Company's fleet or repay debt, such proceeds may be used for general corporate
purposes. Borrowings under the Company's working capital facility bear interest
at a floating rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.5% and mature in November 1999. The
weighted average interest rate applicable to the Company's borrowings under the
working capital facility as of November 1, 1996 was 8.12%.
 
     The Company anticipates having additional opportunities to acquire, upgrade
and refurbish for active service other drilling and related equipment. The
Company currently expects that any such future capital requirements would be
funded with cash generated from operations or additional borrowings.
 
     The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the
Common Stock being sold by Selling Stockholders.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
                          PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
 
     The Common Stock is traded under the symbol "FLCN." The following table
sets forth the high and low sale prices per share of the Common Stock as
reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market for each calendar quarter since such
commencement of trading.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      HIGH       LOW
                                                                      -----     -----
        <S>                                                           <C>       <C>
        1995:
          Third Quarter (commencing July 28)........................  $13 1/2   $ 9 1/4
          Fourth Quarter............................................   15 1/4     9 7/8
        1996:
          First Quarter.............................................   25 5/8    12
          Second Quarter............................................   28 1/2    22 1/4
          Third Quarter.............................................   27 7/8    20
          Fourth Quarter (through November 6).......................   35 3/8    26
</TABLE>
 
     The last reported sale price of the Common Stock, as reported by the Nasdaq
Stock Market on November 6, 1996, was $32.63 per share. As of October 31, 1996,
there were 92 record holders of Common Stock.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
     The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company at
September 30, 1996, and as adjusted to give effect to the Offering and the
application of the estimated $93.1 million of net proceeds therefrom as
described in "Use of Proceeds." This table should be read in conjunction with
the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere
or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                                                       -------------------------
                                                                        ACTUAL       AS ADJUSTED
                                                                       --------      -----------
                                                                            (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                    <C>           <C>
Short-term debt:
  Current maturities of long-term debt and other obligations.........  $  3,124       $   3,124
                                                                       ========       =========
Long-term debt and other obligations, net of current maturities:
  Fixed rate senior notes............................................   230,000         230,000
  Senior subordinated notes..........................................    50,000          50,000
  Floating rate senior notes.........................................    10,000          10,000
  Working capital facility...........................................    20,000(2)           --(2)
  Notes payable and other obligations................................     2,405           2,405
                                                                       --------       ---------
          Total long-term debt.......................................   312,405         292,405
                                                                       --------       ---------
Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock, $.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized,
     35,465,317 and 38,465,317 shares issued and outstanding,
     respectively(1).................................................       355             385
  Additional paid-in capital.........................................   113,905         207,000
  Accumulated earnings...............................................    20,355          20,355
                                                                       --------       ---------
  Total stockholders' equity.........................................   134,615         227,740
                                                                       --------       ---------
          Total capitalization.......................................  $447,020       $ 520,145
                                                                       ========       =========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Does not include 577,260 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding
    options and warrants that were currently exercisable, 1,508 shares issuable
    pursuant to a certain warrant that was only exercisable to the extent that
    certain other specified options and warrants were exercised and 346,669
    shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options that do not become
    exercisable until January 1997 or later. Also does not include shares to be
    issued as part of the purchase price for two conventionally moored
    drillships to be acquired by the Company, which shares will have a market
    value at closing of $15 million.
 
(2) A portion of the net proceeds of the Offering will be used to repay the
    Company's working capital facility pending expenditures for expansion and
    upgrade of the Company's rig fleet. See "Use of Proceeds."
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
                  SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
 
     The following table sets forth certain historical data relating to Falcon.
For each of the five years ended December 31, 1995, such data are derived from
the audited consolidated financial statements of Falcon, which in the case of
the three years ended December 31, 1995, are included elsewhere in this
Prospectus. The selected financial data for the nine months ended September 30,
1995 and 1996, are unaudited but, in the opinion of management, include all
adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to
present fairly the results of operations for such periods. Such data are not
necessarily indicative of results that could be expected for a full year. The
selected financial data should be read in conjunction with "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and
the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere
or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                                 SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                       (UNAUDITED)
                                     -----------------------------------------------------    --------------------
                                      1991       1992       1993        1994        1995        1995        1996
                                     -------    -------    -------    --------    --------    --------    --------
                                                         (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                  <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
  Revenues(1).....................   $ 9,085    $ 9,673    $61,840    $138,503    $177,505    $128,613    $220,965
  Operating costs.................    10,224      9,674     46,126      95,256     120,992      86,934     141,311
  General and administrative
     expenses.....................     1,385      1,625      5,520      11,887      13,871      10,327      13,191
  Depreciation....................     1,263      1,696      2,990       9,445      16,527      11,703      20,839
                                     -------    -------    -------    --------    --------    --------    --------
  Operating income (loss).........    (3,787)    (3,322)     7,204      21,915      26,115      19,649      45,624
  Interest expense................       986      1,880      2,743      12,046      18,021      13,277      18,158
  Amortization of deferred
     costs........................     1,124        158        538         690       2,140       1,642       2,108
  Foreign currency translation
     loss (gain)..................        --         --         --          --      (1,023)         --          --
  Other expense (income)..........        62         --       (927)     (1,969)     (2,850)     (2,359)     (3,283)
                                     -------    -------    -------    --------    --------    --------    --------
  Income (loss) before taxes......    (5,959)    (5,360)     4,850      11,148       9,827       7,089      28,641
  Income tax provision............        --         --        952       3,232       3,481       2,319      10,587
                                     -------    -------    -------    --------    --------    --------    --------
  Income (loss) before minority
     interest.....................    (5,959)    (5,360)     3,898       7,916       6,346       4,770      18,044
  Minority interest...............        --         --         --       3,486       1,291       1,291          --
                                     -------    -------    -------    --------    --------    --------    --------
  Net income (loss)...............    (5,959)    (5,360)     3,898       4,430       5,055       3,479      18,044
  Preferred stock dividends and
     accretion....................        --         --        743         565         374         304          --
                                     -------    -------    -------    --------    --------    --------    --------
  Net income (loss) applicable to
     common shares................   $(5,959)   $(5,360)   $ 3,155    $  3,865    $  4,681    $  3,175    $ 18,044
                                     =======    =======    =======    ========    ========    ========    ========
  Net income (loss) per common
     share(2).....................        --    $ (0.46)   $  0.14    $   0.14    $   0.16    $   0.11    $   0.50
                                     =======    =======    =======    ========    ========    ========    ========
  Shares used to compute net
     income (loss) per common
     share........................        --     11,695     21,899      26,880      29,593      28,243      35,991
                                     =======    =======    =======    ========    ========    ========    ========
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA:
  EBITDA(3).......................   $(2,586)   $(1,626)   $11,121    $ 33,329    $ 45,492    $ 33,711    $ 69,746
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               
                                                           AS OF DECEMBER 31,                          AS OF   
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------   SEPTEMBER 30,
                                         1991        1992        1993         1994         1995         1996
                                        -------     -------     -------     --------     --------     --------
                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                     <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Cash and cash equivalents............ $   563     $   572     $ 6,708     $  4,868     $  9,016     $  6,309
  Equipment and property, net..........  21,310      36,124      72,655      170,823      265,608      417,456
  Total assets.........................  24,801      42,515     109,994      224,146      341,023      513,724
  Long-term debt and other
     obligations.......................  16,299      35,536      46,438      145,524      179,362      312,405
  Total stockholders' equity...........   6,334         974      31,011       34,087      115,516      134,615
</TABLE>
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,         SEPTEMBER 30,
                                              -----------------------------    ------------------
                                               1993       1994       1995       1995       1996
                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
<S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
RIG ACTIVITY DATA -- AVERAGE FOR PERIOD:
Domestic barge drilling rigs(4) --
  Rigs available for service.................    14.5       17.0       18.4       18.3       21.5
  Utilization rate for rigs available for
     service.................................      84%        69%        77%        81%        88%
  Average day rate(5)........................ $ 9,076    $11,974    $12,667    $12,635    $13,304
Domestic barge workover rigs(6) --
  Rigs available for service.................      --        6.4        7.0        7.0        8.4
  Utilization rate of rigs available for
     service.................................      --         58%        59%        58%        59%
  Average date rate(5).......................      --    $ 8,768    $ 8,858    $ 8,967    $ 8,921
Domestic offshore rigs --
  Rigs available for service(7)(8)...........      --       12.0       12.5       11.6       15.4
  Utilization rate of rigs available for
     service.................................      --         85%        79%        78%        96%
  Average day rate(5)........................      --    $17,015    $15,060    $14,484    $19,144
International shallow-water rigs --
  Rigs available for service(7)(9)...........     1.0        0.7        4.0        4.0        4.7
  Utilization rate of rigs available for
     service.................................      99%        99%        96%        99%        87%
  Average day rate(5)........................ $17,600    $21,162    $19,553    $19,550    $20,223
Deepwater rigs --
  Rigs available for service.................      --         --         --         --        1.3
  Utilization rate of rigs available for
     service.................................      --         --         --         --         94%
  Average day rate(5)........................      --         --         --         --    $52,666
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Revenues include management fee income of $170,000, $2,987,000 and $92,000
    for the years ended December 31, 1992, 1993 and 1994, respectively, from
    rigs owned by affiliates. No management fee income was earned in 1995 or the
    1996 period, as rigs previously owned by affiliated entities were acquired
    by Falcon.
 
(2) Earnings per share have been omitted for 1991 because such information is
    not meaningful due to the roll up of the predecessor partnership interests
    and recapitalization of Falcon that occurred in 1991.
 
(3) EBITDA (earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation and
    amortization) is frequently used by securities analysts and is presented
    here to provide additional information about Falcon's operations. EBITDA
    should not be considered as an alternative to net income as an indicator of
    Falcon's operating performance or as an alternative to cash flows as a
    better measure of liquidity.
 
(4) Includes three barge rigs purchased in September 1994, which Falcon
    previously operated under a charter arrangement. Includes one rig leased to
    Falcon commencing in March 1996.
 
(5) Rates reflected are base day rates which do not include additional charges
    for marine and other equipment commonly furnished in connection with
    certain of the drilling contracts.
 
(6) Falcon's initial interest in the workover business was acquired April 1,
    1994. No results prior to that date are included herein. Includes two rigs
    leased to Falcon commencing in the first quarter of 1996.
 
(7) Rig 203, a submersible rig that was mobilized to Venezuela in November 1995,
    is included in domestic offshore rigs until that time and in international
    shallow-water rigs thereafter.
 
(8) Includes one rig operated under charter to Falcon through June 1995 and one
    rig operated under charter to Falcon since August 1996.
 
(9) Excludes two rigs operated in Venezuela by a joint venture in which Falcon
    has a 37.5% interest.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
 
               MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                      CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
GENERAL
 
     The Company's financial condition and historical results of operations have
been significantly affected by a series of acquisitions that have resulted in
the Company's current fleet of barge and offshore rigs. As of October 31, 1996,
the Company's rig fleet was composed of 76 rigs, including 43 barge drilling
rigs, ten barge workover rigs, 16 jackup drilling rigs, three submersible
drilling rigs, three dynamically positioned drillships and one semisubmersible
drilling rig. Included in these totals are one jackup drilling rig, one barge
drilling rig and two barge workover rigs leased from third parties.
 
     Changes in the number of actively marketed rigs and their geographic
locations significantly affect the Company's capital expenditure requirements,
working capital requirements and results of operations. As of December 31, 1995,
the Company's active domestic rig fleet included 19 barge drilling rigs, seven
barge workover rigs, 14 jackup drilling rigs and one submersible drilling rig
and the active international rig fleet included three drilling barges and one
submersible drilling rig, all in Venezuela. Since then, the Company's active rig
fleet has changed significantly. As of October 31, 1996, the active domestic
fleet included 25 barge drilling rigs, ten barge workover rigs, 15 jackup
drilling rigs and two submersible drilling rigs, and the active international
rig fleet included three drilling barges and one submersible drilling rig in
Venezuela, one jackup drilling rig in Nigeria, two drillships in Brazil and one
drillship in Australia. In addition, the Company owns a minority position in a
venture that operates two barge drilling rigs in Venezuela.
 
     Revenues. The Company's revenues are determined primarily by (a) the number
of rigs it has available for service and (b) demand for contract drilling and
workover services, which affects the utilization rate and day rates of the
Company's active rigs. In response to increased demand, the Company has
reactivated previously cold stacked rigs for both the domestic and international
markets, particularly Venezuela. In the future, the Company, in response to
changes in demand, may withdraw rigs from active service or reactivate
additional rigs, which could decrease or increase revenues, respectively.
 
     Operating Costs. Operating costs include all direct costs and expenditures
associated with operating active rigs and cold stacking inactive rigs. These
costs and expenditures vary based on rig utilization and the number of rigs
actively marketed by the Company. These costs and expenditures include rig labor
costs, repair, maintenance and supply expenditures, insurance costs, fuel costs,
mobilization costs and other costs related to operations.
 
     Operating Income. Operating income is primarily affected by revenue
factors, but is also a function of varying levels of operating expenses. Changes
in day rates do not affect operating expenses. Significant changes in rig
utilization can change the level of operating expenses from period to period as
the Company may adjust the level of its actively marketed rig fleet to match
more closely the anticipated level of demand. General and administrative
expenses, which generally include the costs of the Company's shore-based support
functions, also affect operating income. These costs generally do not vary
significantly from period to period unless the Company materially expands its
asset base, nor do they vary over short periods of time with changes in rig
utilization. Depreciation, which is determined by the level of the Company's
capital expenditures and depreciation practices, is the other major determinant
of operating income.
 
CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
     Rig acquisitions, financings completed, the increase in active units as
described above and cash flow generated from operations were responsible for the
significant changes in the Company's financial position between December 31,
1995, and September 30, 1996. The following are the most significant of the
acquisitions and financings completed since December 31, 1995:
 
     1) The purchase of two dynamically positioned drillships, the upgrade of a
        third drillship and the acquisition of spares for approximately $119
        million.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   17
 
     2) The purchase of one jackup drilling rig, one barge drilling rig and one
        submersible drilling rig for approximately $28 million.
 
     3) The upgrade and activation of eight barge drilling and workover rigs for
        approximately $11 million.
 
     4) The charter to the Company of one jackup drilling rig and three barge
        drilling and workover rigs.
 
     5) The placement of $120 million of senior unsecured notes in March 1996.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     Comparative data relating to the Company's revenues and operating expenses
by major areas of operations are listed below.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                 SEPTEMBER 30,
                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,            (UNAUDITED)
                                           -------------------------------    --------------------
                                            1993        1994        1995        1995        1996
                                           -------    --------    --------    --------    --------
                                                               (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Revenues:
  Domestic barge drilling................  $50,164    $ 58,922    $ 75,145    $ 58,204    $ 77,464
  Domestic barge workover................       --       9,020      14,350      10,676      12,760
  Domestic offshore drilling.............    5,149      63,430      56,687      37,200      79,946
  International shallow-water drilling...    6,527       7,131      31,323      22,533      28,230
  Deepwater operations...................       --          --          --          --      22,565
                                           -------    --------    --------    --------    --------
                                           $61,840    $138,503    $177,505    $128,613    $220,965
                                           =======    ========    ========    ========    ========
Operating costs:
  Domestic barge drilling................  $39,387    $ 42,585    $ 50,672    $ 38,377    $ 50,416
  Domestic barge workover................       --       4,934       8,497       6,064      10,499
  Domestic offshore drilling.............    1,462      42,536      46,102      32,289      51,161
  International shallow-water drilling...    5,277       5,201      15,721      10,204      15,197
  Deepwater operations...................       --          --          --          --      14,038
                                           -------    --------    --------    --------    --------
                                           $46,126    $ 95,256    $120,992    $ 86,934    $141,311
                                           =======    ========    ========    ========    ========
Rig operating income:
  Domestic barge drilling................  $10,777    $ 16,337    $ 24,473    $ 19,827    $ 27,048
  Domestic barge workover................       --       4,086       5,853       4,612       2,261
  Domestic offshore drilling.............    3,687      20,894      10,585       4,911      28,785
  International shallow-water drilling...    1,250       1,930      15,602      12,329      13,033
  Deepwater operations...................       --          --          --          --       8,527
                                           -------    --------    --------    --------    --------
                                            15,714      43,247      56,513      41,679      79,654
  General and administrative expenses....    5,520      11,887      13,871      10,327      13,191
  Depreciation expense...................    2,990       9,445      16,527      11,703      20,839
                                           -------    --------    --------    --------    --------
          Operating income...............  $ 7,204    $ 21,915    $ 26,115    $ 19,649    $ 45,624
                                           =======    ========    ========    ========    ========
</TABLE>
 
  For the Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 1995 and 1996
 
     Revenues. Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 1996, increased
$92.3 million, or 71.8%, from the same period in the prior year. The increase is
attributable primarily to (a) the commencement during 1996 of deepwater drilling
activity with two drillships and the mobilization fee of $2.5 million recorded
in the third quarter attributable to a third drillship which was delivered to
Brazil in September and commenced drilling operations in November, (b) an
increase in domestic barge drilling revenues of 33.1% attributable to 3.2
additional average available rigs, an increase in utilization from 81% to 88%,
and an increase in the average day rate of $669, and (c) an increase in domestic
offshore drilling revenues of 114.9% attributable to 3.8 additional average
available rigs, an increase in utilization from 78% to 96%, and an increase in
the average day rate of $4,660.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   18
 
     Operating Costs. Rig operating costs for the nine months ended September
30, 1996, increased $54.4 million, or 62.5%, from the same period in the prior
year. Operating costs for all of the Company's lines of business increased
primarily as a result of increases in the number of actively marketed rigs.
 
     Operating Income. Operating income for the nine months ended September 30,
1996, increased $26.0 million, or 132.1%, from the same period in the prior
year. Rig operating income increased $38.0 million, which was partially offset
by increases in general and administrative expense of $2.9 million and
depreciation of $9.1 million. The contribution to operating income increased for
all lines of business except domestic barge workover operations, which decreased
by $2.4 million. This decrease in operating income was due to an increase in
operating costs caused by an increase in marketed units and a smaller
corresponding increase in revenues, which was attributable to flat day rates and
utilization. The commencement of deepwater drilling contributed $8.5 million to
rig operating income and the improvement in domestic barge drilling and domestic
offshore drilling results produced $7.2 million and $23.9 million in increased
contribution, respectively. The increase in depreciation was attributable to
additional rigs being acquired. General and administrative expenses increased
primarily due to the startup of deepwater drilling operations.
 
     Interest Expense. Interest expense increased by $4.9 million due to higher
levels of debt, including the issuance of $120 million in senior notes in March
1996.
 
     Amortization of Deferred Costs. Amortization of deferred costs increased by
approximately $500,000 as a result of costs associated with the Company's senior
debt placement in March 1996.
 
     Other Income and Expenses. Other income for both periods was approximately
the same.
 
     Net Income. Net income applicable to common shares increased by $14.9
million, or 468.3%, due primarily to the commencement of deepwater drilling
operations and improved operating results in the Company's other lines of
business except for domestic barge workover operations. The increased
contribution from the operating divisions was partially offset by higher
depreciation expense, higher general and administrative expenses, higher
interest expense and a higher provision for income taxes.
 
  For the Years Ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995
 
     Revenues. Revenues were $61.8 million, $138.5 million and $177.5 million
for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994, and 1995, respectively. The
increases in revenues were primarily due to the acquisition and placing in
service of additional drilling equipment.
 
     Approximately 92%, 48% and 60% of revenues in 1993, 1994 and 1995,
respectively, were accounted for by the Company's domestic barge and
international shallow-water drilling operations. Domestic offshore drilling
operations accounted for 8% in 1993, 46% in 1994 and 32% in 1995. Revenues from
domestic barge workover operations which commenced on April 1, 1994, represented
6% in 1994 and 8% in 1995.
 
     Operating Costs. Operating costs were $46.1 million, $95.3 million and
$121.0 million for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994, and 1995,
respectively. The increase in operating costs was primarily the result of the
expansion of the Company's operations and increased utilization.
 
     Operating Income. Operating income was $7.2 million, $21.9 million, and
$26.1 million for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995,
respectively. The increases in operating income were primarily attributable to
the increases in revenue, partially offset by the increases in operating costs,
general and administrative expenses and depreciation expense. The increase in
general and administrative expenses for each of such years was primarily due to
the increasing number of shore based personnel required to support the Company's
growing rig fleet. Depreciation expense increased each year as a result of the
Company's expanded rig fleet.
 
     Interest Expense. Interest expense was $2.7 million in 1993, $12.0 million
in 1994 and $18.0 million in 1995. The increased interest expense during such
periods primarily reflects (i) the issuance by the Company of $120 million in
senior notes in 1994, (ii) the issuance by the Company of $50 million in
subordinated notes in 1995, and (iii) increased borrowings during 1995 under the
Company's revolving credit facility.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   19
 
     Amortization of Deferred Costs. Amortization of deferred costs was
$500,000, $700,000 and $2.1 million for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994,
and 1995, respectively. The increases were due primarily to increases in
deferred financing costs associated with the Company's debt and equity
financings during the periods.
 
     Foreign Currency Translation Gain. In December 1995, the Venezuelan
government devalued its currency (the Bolivar). At the time of the devaluation,
the obligations of the Company payable in Bolivars exceeded the receivables of
the Company that were payable in Bolivars, and accordingly, the Company
recognized a translation gain of $1.0 million during the fourth quarter of 1995,
which has been included in other income. No foreign currency translation gains
or losses were recorded during 1993 and 1994.
 
     Other Income and Expense. Other Income was $927,000 in 1993, $2.0 million
during 1994, and $2.9 million in 1995. Substantially all of the other income for
all three years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, was from gains on the
sale of surplus assets and interest income.
 
     Net Income. Net income applicable to common shares was $3.2 million in
1993, $3.9 million in 1994 and $4.7 million in 1995. The increase in 1994 as
compared to 1993 was primarily the result of a larger marketed barge drilling
and offshore fleet and the Company's entry into the barge workover business. The
increase in 1995 as compared to 1994 was primarily as a result of improved
operating results in the Company's domestic barge and international shallow
drilling operations, which more than offset a decline in the results for the
Company's offshore rig fleet and increases in depreciation expense, interest
expense, and general and administrative expenses.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     Net cash provided by operating activities was $33.8 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 1996, compared to $11.0 million for the comparable
prior period. The $22.8 million increase was the result of improved operating
results, partially offset by an increase in the receivables component of working
capital at September 30, 1996. Operating results improved primarily as a result
of a significant expansion of the Company's operations.
 
     Net cash used in investing activities was $165.7 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 1996, compared to $77.6 million for the comparable
prior period. The increase of $88.1 million was primarily due to expenditures
related to the expansion of the Company's rig fleet, including approximately
$119 million expended in connection with the acquisition, upgrade and purchase
of fleet spares related to the Company's dynamically positioned deep water
drillships, the Peregrine I, II and III. In addition, during the nine months
ended September 30, 1996, the Company also expended approximately $28.2 million
in connection with the acquisition of three other drilling rigs (one barge rig,
one submersible rig and one jackup rig) and approximately $26.1 million on the
purchase of drillpipe, rig reactivations, and rig upgrades. Included in the $119
million of expenditures related to the Company's drillship operations was
approximately $60.0 million for the upgrade of the Peregrine I and the purchase
of additional riser, BOP equipment and other fleet spares and rig inventory. The
upgrade of the Peregrine I was completed during the third quarter of 1996 and
the rig was mobilized to Brazil, where it commenced operations in early
November, approximately four months behind the Company's original intended
delivery date. The upgrade of the Peregrine I exceeded the Company's original
cost estimates as a result of increased shipyard time due to delays in equipment
deliveries and additional rig upgrades which increased the water depth
capability of the rig.
 
     Net cash provided by financing activities was $129.2 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 1996, compared to $68.9 million for the comparable
prior period. The $60.3 million increase was primarily due to the issuance by
the Company of $120 million of Senior Notes on March 4, 1996. During the prior
nine-month period ended September 30, 1995, the Company had issued $50.0 million
of Senior Subordinated Notes.
 
     During the fourth quarter of 1996, the Company currently expects to make
additional capital expenditures of (i) approximately $8.0 million for the
purchase of a hull and certain other equipment to be used in the construction of
the dynamically positioned drillship Peregrine IV and its initial mobilization,
(ii) $20.0 million
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   20
 
for the purchase of the drillship Deepsea Duchess, (iii) $3.0 million for the
refurbishment of certain rig equipment, and (iv) $2.0 million for drillpipe and
other equipment expenditures. In addition to its expected capital expenditures
for the remainder of 1996, the Company may commit, upon receipt of acceptable
contracts, to the completion of the Peregrine IV and the upgrade of the
Pacesetter III at costs currently estimated at $120 million and $25 million,
respectively. Should the Company commit to these or any other similar projects,
the Company anticipates that a substantial portion of the funding would come
from third party equipment lessors or debt.
 
     The Company has agreed to acquire both the Deepsea Ice and the Deepsea
Duchess for $40 million, but is negotiating to have a third party purchase the
Deepsea Ice for $20 million and lease it to the Company. The Company will pay
the $20 million balance of the Deepsea Ice/Deepsea Duchess purchase price with
$5 million in cash and the issuance to the seller of $15 million of Falcon
common stock.
 
     As of September 30, 1996, the Company had cash and credit availability
under its line of credit totaling approximately $11.3 million. The Company has
received a commitment from its commercial bank lenders to increase its bank
credit facilities from a maximum of $25 million to $65 million. The new
facilities would consist of (i) a $25 million revolving loan facility secured by
accounts receivable, maturing in November 1999, and (ii) a $40 million revolving
loan facility secured by certain drilling rigs and receivables, maturing in
November 1998. The Company believes that its available funds, together with cash
generated from operations, will be sufficient to fund its capital expenditure
program, working capital and debt service requirements. Future commitments for
capital expenditures will depend upon market conditions and opportunities, as
well as the availability of adequate financing.
 
     Although substantially all the Company's marketed rigs are currently under
contract, its domestic based rigs are typically contracted on a well-to-well
basis or on short term contracts which typically expire within six months. A
severe decline in demand for oil and gas drilling could therefore adversely
impact the Company's cash flow from operations. Should these circumstances occur
and persist for a material length of time, there could be no assurance that the
Company's cash flow from operations would remain adequate to meet its
requirements and the Company would likely scale back the scope of its operations
and dispose of excess or non-essential assets.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   21
 
                                    BUSINESS
 
     Falcon provides contract drilling and workover services for the domestic
and international oil and gas industry. Falcon owns and operates the largest
fleet of barge drilling rigs in the world and the largest fleet of mat-supported
offshore drilling rigs in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Falcon also owns and operates
three dynamically positioned drillships and has contracted to acquire two
conventionally moored drillships for use in the deepwater drilling market.
 
STRATEGY
 
     Falcon's strategy is to identify contract drilling markets which have
experienced an excess supply of equipment, but where Falcon expects a
substantial increase in future demand due in large part to the effect of
technology on drilling economics. By entering these markets, Falcon has been
able to acquire equipment on attractive terms and establish a significant
presence in such markets, thereby creating opportunities for profitable growth.
 
     The initial focus of Falcon's strategy was the barge drilling business.
Historically, the largest such market has been in the U.S. Gulf Coast,
principally South Louisiana, where barge drilling and workover activity has been
increasing. Falcon's management believes that this increasing activity is
primarily attributable to attractive prospects in the area for deep natural gas
drilling, increased 3-D seismic survey activity and the mid-1994 settlement of a
long standing dispute between the State of Louisiana and Texaco, the area's
largest leaseholder. Falcon subsequently expanded into complementary businesses,
including the Venezuelan shallow-water rig market and the U.S. Gulf Coast barge
workover market. Falcon also began building a significant presence in the U.S.
Gulf of Mexico offshore drilling market, as demand began to rebound from
historically low levels in the early 1990s.
 
     In late 1995, Falcon began building a significant presence in the deepwater
market with an initial emphasis on dynamically positioned drillships. Deepwater
oil and gas exploration and production costs are being significantly reduced by
improvements in technology. In addition, privatization initiatives and greater
political stability in many oil and gas producing regions of the world have
broadened access to attractive deepwater acreage. Management believes that these
developments will lead to increased demand for drilling equipment with greater
water depth capability. Falcon targeted dynamically positioned drillships for
acquisition because their water depth capability can be efficiently upgraded
with existing technology to service ultra deep water locations.
 
DOMESTIC BARGE DRILLING OPERATIONS
 
     Domestic Barge Drilling Rigs. Barge drilling rigs are mobile drilling
platforms that are submersible and are built to work in eight to 20 feet of
water. They are towed by tugboats to the drill site with the derrick lying down.
The lower hull is then submerged by flooding until it rests on the sea floor,
the derrick is raised and drilling operations are conducted with the barge in
this position. There are two basic types of barge rigs, "posted" and
"conventional." A posted barge is identical to a conventional barge except that
the hull and superstructure are separated by 10 to 14 foot columns, which
increases the water depth capabilities of the rig. Falcon's barge drilling rigs
are generally used in drilling for oil and natural gas in inland and
shallow-water coastal areas, but may also be used for workover activity.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   22
 
     The following tables provide certain information as of October 31, 1996,
regarding Falcon's domestic barge drilling fleet:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          MAXIMUM
                                                                          DRILLING
                                                       HORSEPOWER YEAR     DEPTH
RIG             DRILLING EQUIPMENT/MAIN POWER            RATING   BUILT   (FEET)      CUSTOMER(1)
- ---    -----------------------------------------------   -----    ----    ------    ----------------
<S>    <C>                                               <C>      <C>     <C>       <C>
             CONVENTIONAL BARGE RIGS FOR DEEP DRILLING
 1     Skytop Brewster/Caterpillar....................   2,000    1980    20,000    LLOG
 3     Mid-Continent/Caterpillar(2)...................   3,000    1981    25,000    Shell
 4     Oilwell/Caterpillar............................   3,000    1981    25,000    Cold Stacked
 6     Mid-Continent/Caterpillar......................   3,000    1981    25,000    Cold Stacked
15     National/EMD...................................   2,000    1981    25,000    Goodrich
21     Oilwell/Caterpillar............................   1,500    1982..  15,000    Unocal
25     Continental Emsco/Caterpillar..................   3,000    1976    25,000    Cold Stacked
28     Continental Emsco/Caterpillar..................   3,000    1979    30,000    Plains
29     Continental Emsco/Caterpillar..................   3,000    1980    30,000    Shell
30     Continental Emsco/Caterpillar..................   3,000    1981    30,000    Texaco
31     Continental Emsco/Caterpillar..................   3,000    1981    30,000    Texaco
32     Continental Emsco/Caterpillar..................   3,000    1982    30,000    Stone
37     National/EMD...................................   3,000    1965    20,000    Cold Stacked
38     National/EMD...................................   3,000    1965    20,000    Cold Stacked
                   POSTED BARGE RIGS FOR DEEP DRILLING
 2     Skytop Brewster/Caterpillar....................   2,000    1980    20,000    Cold Stacked
 5     National/Caterpillar...........................   3,000    1981    25,000    Cold Stacked
 7     Oilwell/Caterpillar............................   2,000    1978    25,000    Flores & Rucks
 8     Oilwell/Caterpillar............................   2,000    1978    25,000    Cold Stacked
 9     Oilwell/Caterpillar............................   2,000    1981    25,000    Shell
10     Oilwell/Caterpillar............................   2,000    1981    25,000    Exxon
16     National/EMD...................................   3,000    1981    30,000    Texaco
17     National/EMD...................................   3,000    1982    30,000    Shell
27     Continental Emsco/Caterpillar..................   3,000    1978    30,000    Cold Stacked
39     National/EMD...................................   3,000    1970    30,000    Cold Stacked
41     National/EMD...................................   3,000    1981    30,000    Cold Stacked
44     Oilwell/Superior...............................   3,000    1979    30,000    Cold Stacked
45     Oilwell/Superior...............................   3,000    1979    30,000    Cold Stacked
46     Oilwell/EMD....................................   3,000    1981    30,000    Cold Stacked
47     Oilwell/EMD....................................   3,000    1982    30,000    OTV
48     Gardner Denver/Caterpillar.....................   3,000    1982    30,000    UPRC
49     Oilwell/Caterpillar............................   3,000    1980    30,000    Hunt
52     Oilwell/Caterpillar............................   2,000    1981    25,000    Available(3)
54     National/EMD...................................   3,000    1970    30,000    Fina
55     Ideco/EMD......................................   3,000    1981    30,000    Mobil
56     National/Caterpillar...........................   2,000    1973    25,000    Enserch
57     National/Caterpillar...........................   2,000    1975    25,000    Cold Stacked
61     Mid-Continent/EMD..............................   3,000    1978    30,000    Cliffs Oil & Gas
62     Mid-Continent/EMD..............................   3,000    1978    30,000    Amerada Hess
63     Mid-Continent/EMD..............................   3,000    1978    30,000    Shell
64     Mid-Continent/EMD..............................   3,000    1979    30,000    Phillips
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Rigs listed as cold stacked are not being actively marketed and are in need
    of refurbishment to be activated. Falcon believes that these 15 rigs can be
    activated for amounts ranging from $500,000 to $3.0 million per rig, or an
    aggregate cost of approximately $30.0 million.
 
(2) This rig is leased to Falcon.
 
(3) This rig was recently demobilized from Venezuela and is expected to resume
    working in the fourth quarter of 1996.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   23
 
     Falcon also has a contract to purchase for $5.0 million three cold stacked
barge drilling rigs located in Mexico. The seller has claimed that logistical
difficulties prevent it from delivering those rigs to Falcon, and Falcon has
recently commenced a legal action to enforce its rights under that contract. It
is uncertain whether or when Falcon will be able to enforce the contract and
acquire these rigs.
 
     Domestic Barge Drilling Market. Falcon's principal domestic market for its
barge drilling rigs is the shallow-water areas of the U.S. Gulf Coast (primarily
coastal Louisiana and, to a lesser extent, coastal regions of Alabama,
Mississippi and Texas). This area historically has been the world's largest
market for shallow-water drilling. Barge rigs are employed both inland, in
lakes, bays, rivers and marshes, and in shallow-water coastal areas. Falcon's
barge drilling fleet averaged 14.2 working rigs at an average day rate of
$12,667 during 1995 and 18.9 working rigs at an average day rate of $13,304
during the nine months ended September 30, 1996.
 
     The structure of the domestic shallow-water market has changed materially
as the result of barge rigs being scrapped, committed to international markets
or taken out of service, and the consolidation of unprofitable barge rig
companies. The following table sets forth as of October 31, 1996, Falcon's
estimate of the number of barge drilling rigs with rated maximum drilling depth
capability in excess of 14,000 feet capable of working in the domestic market.
The table below excludes rigs that are suitable principally for workover and
shallow drilling.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                CONTRACTOR                              TOTAL      IN SERVICE
    ------------------------------------------------------------------  -----      ----------
    <S>                                                                 <C>        <C>
    Falcon............................................................    40           25
    Mallard Bay.......................................................     8            7
                                                                          --           --
              Total...................................................    48           32
</TABLE>
 
DOMESTIC BARGE WORKOVER AND SHALLOW DRILLING OPERATIONS
 
     Domestic Barge Workover and Shallow Drilling Rigs. Barge workover and
shallow drilling rigs typically differ from barge drilling rigs both in the size
of the hull and the capability of the drilling equipment. Because workover
operations require less hoisting and mud system capacity, a smaller unit can be
used. In addition, workover rigs, which are equipped with specialized pumps and
handling tools, do not require heavy duty drill pipe. Operating costs for
workover rigs are lower because the rigs require smaller crews, use less fuel
and require less repair and maintenance. Certain rigs can also be utilized to
drill shallow wells to maximum depths ranging to 14,000 feet depending upon the
rig's capabilities.
 
     The following table provides certain information regarding Falcon's fleet
of barge workover and shallow drilling rigs as of October 31, 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               MAST                         MAXIMUM
                                             CAPACITY      YEAR        DRILLING/WORKOVER
RIG                 DRAWWORKS                (POUNDS)      BUILT         DEPTH (FEET)        CUSTOMER
- ----   ------------------------------------  ---------     -----       -----------------     --------
<S>    <C>                                   <C>           <C>         <C>                   <C>
 SDI   Ideco H-30..........................    250,000      1990(1)          NA/15,000       Equinox
   6   Ideco H-35..........................    450,000      1978             NA/20,000       Badger
   7   Gardner Denver 800..................    800,000      1972         10,000/25,000       Apache
  14   Skytop Brewster N95(2)..............  1,000,000      1978         18,000/30,000       Forman
  16   Mid-Continent U36A..................    550,000      1979         10,000/25,000       LL&E
  18   Skytop Brewster N75.................    530,000      1980         12,000/25,000       Badger
  19   National 80B........................    750,000      1996(1)      14,000/25,000       Yuma
  22   Wilson 75...........................    369,000      1991(1)          NA/20,000       Texoil
  23   Mid-Continent U-914(3)..............  1,000,000      1995(1)      14,000/25,000       Vintage
  24   National 110M(4)....................    760,000      1978         14,000/25,000       Apache
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) These rigs were reconstructed on the date indicated using the existing hull,
    existing equipment, or both.
 
(2) This rig is a posted barge capable of deep drilling operations, but is
    currently marketed for workover activity in areas requiring a posted barge.
 
(3) This rig is leased to Falcon through December 1998.
 
(4) This rig is leased to Falcon through March 2000.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   24
 
     Domestic Barge Workover and Shallow Drilling Market. The domestic barge
workover and shallow drilling business is based in the same geographical area as
the barge drilling market. The same factors which have affected the structure of
the barge drilling sector also have affected this sector, with considerable
consolidation of competitors and reduction of available rigs since the early
1980s. The following table sets forth as of October 31, 1996, Falcon's estimate
of the number of barge units in the workover and shallow drilling sector.
Shallow drilling units are those with rated maximum drilling depth capacity of
14,000 feet or less.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 CONTRACTOR                           TOTAL    IN SERVICE
        ------------------------------------------------------------- -----    ----------
        <S>                                                           <C>      <C>
        Falcon.......................................................   10         10
        Mallard Bay..................................................   20         15
        Other Contractors............................................    5          2
                                                                        --         --
                  Total..............................................   35         27
</TABLE>
 
     Falcon's workover fleet averaged 4.2 working rigs at an average day rate of
$8,858 during 1995 and 4.9 working rigs at an average day rate of $8,921 during
the nine months ended September 30, 1996.
 
INTERNATIONAL SHALLOW-WATER OPERATIONS
 
     International Shallow-Water Rigs. Barge rigs working in international
markets typically feature a larger hull and expanded crew quarters. In addition,
barge rigs designed to work in Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela, require modification
to work in a floating mode in up to 150 feet of water. The typical domestic
barge is modified by widening the hull from 54 feet to 100 feet, installing a
mooring system and cantilevering the drill floor. Three of Falcon's barge rigs
have been so modified and are currently operating in Lake Maracaibo pursuant to
Falcon's contracts with Maraven. After such modification, these rigs generally
are not suitable for deployment to other locations. The table under "Domestic
Barge Drilling Operations" includes three rigs that are equipped for general
international service by virtue of their larger hull size and crew quarters.
 
     Falcon currently operates a submersible rig (Rig 203) in Venezuela under a
well-to-well contract with a subsidiary of British Petroleum. Falcon also
operates a jack-up drilling rig (FALRIG 83) offshore Nigeria under a one-year
contract with an affiliate of Global Marine Inc.
 
     International Shallow-Water Markets. In recent years, demand for
shallow-water rigs for drilling and workover services in certain international
markets has increased. Potential international markets for shallow-water
drilling services include Venezuela, West Africa, Southeast Asia and Mexico.
Drilling in these international markets is typically driven by exploration for
and development of oil production. The attractiveness of international markets
to the drilling contractor is based on the long-term nature of the work and the
opportunity to earn day rates higher than domestic rates. Management of Falcon
believes that international markets, in which jackup rigs have historically been
utilized for offshore drilling, will utilize an increasing number of barge rigs
over the next several years and that these will come primarily from rigs
currently or formerly employed in the U.S. Gulf Coast shallow-water market.
 
DOMESTIC OFFSHORE OPERATIONS
 
     Offshore Rigs. Falcon's offshore drilling rigs include jackup and
submersible units. Jackup rigs are mobile, self-elevating drilling platforms
equipped with legs that can be lowered to the ocean floor until a foundation is
established to support the hull, which contains the drilling equipment, jacking
system, crew quarters, loading and unloading facilities, storage areas for bulk
and liquid materials, helicopter landing deck and other related equipment. The
rig legs may operate independently or have a mat attached to the lower portion
of the legs in order to provide a more stable foundation in soft bottom areas.
All of Falcon's jackup rigs are mat-supported rigs. Moving a rig to the drill
site involves jacking up its legs until the hull is floating on the surface of
the water. The hull is then towed to the drill site by tugboats and the legs are
jacked down until contact is made with the seabed. The jacking operation
continues until the hull is raised to the desired elevation above sea level and
drilling operations are conducted with the hull in its raised position. Six of
Falcon's jackup rigs are cantilever design, a feature that permits the drilling
platform to be extended out from
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   25
 
the hull, allowing it to perform drilling or workover operations over
pre-existing platforms or structures. All of the Company's cantilevered jackup
rigs feature top drive systems. The other ten jackup rigs, including one rig
operating in the international shallow-water market, are slot-type design that
are configured for the drilling operations to take place through a keyway in the
hull. Jackup rigs with the cantilever feature or with a top drive system
historically have achieved higher day rates and utilization rates. Falcon's
jackup rigs are equipped for deep drilling in water depths of up to 250 feet.
 
     A submersible rig is a mobile drilling platform that is towed to the drill
site and submerged to drilling position by flooding the lower hull until it
rests on the sea floor, with the upper deck above the water surface. After
completion of the drilling operation, the rig is refloated by pumping the water
out of the lower hull, after which it may be towed to another location. Each of
Falcon's three submersible rigs, including one rig operating in the
international shallow-water market, is equipped for deep drilling in water
depths up to 85 feet and features a cantilevered rig floor. One of the units is
equipped with a top drive and a third mud pump.
 
     The following table provides certain information regarding Falcon's
domestic offshore rigs as of October 31, 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               MAXIMUM          MAXIMUM
                                                WATER           DRILLING           YEAR
      RIG              RIG DESCRIPTION       DEPTH (FEET)     DEPTH (FEET)        BUILT               CUSTOMER
- ----------------    ---------------------    ------------     ------------     ------------     --------------------
<S>                 <C>                      <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
SLOT-TYPE MAT-SUPPORTED JACKUP RIGS
FALRIG 17           Bethlehem JU-250MS            250            25,000                1974     ADTI
FALRIG 18           Bethlehem JU-250MS            250            25,000                1978     Zilkha
FALRIG 19           Bethlehem JU-250MS            250            30,000                1978     ADTI
FALRIG 20           Bethlehem JU-250MS            250            30,000                1982     ADTI
FALRIG 82(1)        Baker Marine BMC 250          200            25,000                1979     UPRC
FALRIG 84           Bethlehem JU-250MS            250            25,000                1975     ADTI
Achilles            Baker Marine BMC 250          200            25,000                1981     OEDC
Sea Hawk            Bethlehem JU-250MS            250            25,000                1976     Apache
Taurus              Bethlehem JU-250MS            250            25,000                1976     Newfield

CANTILEVERED MAT-SUPPORTED JACKUP RIGS(2)
Phoenix I           Bethlehem JU-200MC            200            25,000                1981     ADTI
Phoenix II          Bethlehem JU-200MC            200            25,000                1982     Houston Exploration
Phoenix III         Bethlehem JU-200MC            200            25,000                1981     ADTI
Phoenix IV          Bethlehem JU-200MC            200            25,000                1981     Petsec
FALRIG 85           Bethlehem JU-200MC            200            25,000                1979     Union Oil
FALRIG 86           Bethlehem JU-200MC            200            25,000                1980     ADTI

CANTILEVERED SUBMERSIBLE RIGS
FALRIG 77           Donhaiser Marine               85            30,000                1983     Flores & Rucks
FALRIG 78           Donhaiser Marine               85            30,000                1984     Seneca Resources
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) This rig is leased to Falcon.
 
(2) All of these rigs are equipped with top drive systems.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   26
 
     Domestic Bottom-Supported Offshore Market. Falcon's domestic offshore
drilling fleet, which consists entirely of bottom-supported units, is located in
the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Of a total of 128 bottom-supported offshore rigs (118
jackup and 10 submersible drilling rigs) in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, 118 are
owned by the eight largest operators, including Falcon. The table below sets
forth Falcon's estimate of the operators of bottom-supported offshore drilling
rigs in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico market as of October 31, 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              MAT-SUPPORTED
                                                                                RIGS WITH
                                                                               MINIMUM 200
                                                         BOTTOM-SUPPORTED      FOOT WATER
                                                             RIGS(L)              DEPTH
                                                         -----------------  ------------------
                        CONTRACTOR                      TOTAL   IN-SERVICE  TOTAL   IN-SERVICE
    --------------------------------------------------  -----   ----------  -----   ----------
    <S>                                                  <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
    Noble Drilling....................................    23        18        10         9
    Ensco.............................................    21        20        --        --
    Falcon............................................    17        17        15        15
    Rowan Companies...................................    14        14        --        --
    Diamond Offshore..................................    12        11         3         3
    Global Marine.....................................    11        11        --        --
    Marine Drilling...................................    12        12         8         8
    Cliffs Drilling...................................     8         7         1         1
    Other contractors.................................    10        10         1         1
                                                                              --        --
                                                         ---       ---
              Total...................................   128       120        38        37
                                                         ===       ===        ==        ==
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Excludes bottom-supported units rated strictly for workover.
 
     Falcon's domestic offshore fleet averaged 9.8 working rigs at an average
day rate of $15,060 during 1995 and 14.8 working rigs at an average day rate of
$19,144 for the nine months ended September 30, 1996.
 
     International opportunities for Falcon's offshore bottom-supported rigs are
limited to areas where soft bottom conditions are conducive to the use of
mat-supported rigs, including certain offshore waters of India, the Persian
Gulf, Southeast Asia, West Africa and Mexico.
 
DEEPWATER OPERATIONS
 
     Drillships and Semisubmersibles. Falcon began operation in the deepwater
drilling market in 1996 with the acquisition of three dynamically positioned
drillships. A drillship is a self-propelled ship specifically outfitted for
drilling operations, featuring drilling equipment typical of any offshore rig.
The older generation of drillships were conventionally moored and thus were
limited in terms of water depth capacity. Many of the drillships built after
1975 featured a dynamic positioning system which allowed the ship to position
itself over the drill site through the use of thrusters controlled by a
satellite navigation system. Drillships typically have greater variable load
capacity than semisubmersible drilling rigs, which make them better suited for
drilling in remote locations where resupply is expensive. Semisubmersible rigs,
which are not self-propelled but feature better motion characteristics due to
the shape of their hulls, are preferred in harsh environments.
 
     At October 31, 1996, Falcon's active fleet of deepwater rigs consisted of
three dynamically positioned drillships.
 
     The Peregrine I was acquired in September 1995 and thereafter was upgraded
to drill in up to 6,750 feet of water. The rig is a Gusto design Pelican class
drillship built in 1983. The Peregrine I is under contract for a five-year term
with Petrobras to work offshore Brazil in water depths of up to 3,900 feet. The
rig was mobilized to Brazil in September 1996, and operations commenced in
November 1996.
 
     The Peregrine II was acquired in February 1996. Falcon assumed operation of
the rig, which has been working in offshore Brazilian waters pursuant to a
contract with Petrobras that runs through August 1998.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   27
 
This unit has been working in Brazil since 1986. The rig is a Gusto design
Pelican class drillship built in 1979 and rated to drill in up to 3,300 feet of
water.
 
     The Peregrine III was acquired in May 1996. The rig has worked principally
in Southeast Asia and West Africa in recent years. Currently, it is working
offshore Australia and is expected to return to work in West African waters
under multi-well contracts with subsidiaries of Shell and Exxon that are
expected to run through March 1999. The rig is a Gusto design Pelican class
drillship built in 1976 and rated to drill in up to 4,000 feet of water.
Recently, the Company reached an agreement with Shell to increase its day rate,
based on certain upgrades to the unit, and believes additional upgrading,
including increasing the rig's water depth capability, is likely. The Company
intends to use approximately $20 million of the proceeds of the Offering to
complete such upgrades.
 
     The Company has agreed to acquire a hull and engine package from Kherson
Shipyard (the Peregrine IV). The hull, with a larger displacement and size than
any currently operating dynamically positioned drillship, will be completed as a
dynamically positioned drillship rated to drill in 9,000 feet of water. The
Company will not undertake its completion unless and until it obtains a
satisfactory drilling contract and financing for the project. The Company has
not yet taken delivery of the hull from Kherson Shipyard.
 
     In addition, the Company has agreed to acquire two conventionally moored
drillships currently based in Southeast Asia. The acquisition is expected to
close on or about November 29, 1996. The Deepsea Ice is equipped with a top
drive system and is rated to drill in up to 1,000 feet of water. The rig is
currently under contract through mid-1997. The Deepsea Duchess has also operated
principally in Southeast Asia. It is equipped with a top drive system and is
rated to drill in up to 1,000 feet of water. The rig was recently mobilized back
from the Mediterranean Sea, where it completed a contract and is being bid for
several prospective wells.
 
     The Company also owns the Pacesetter III, a semisubmersible acquired in
1995. It has been cold stacked since 1986. The Company is currently evaluating
plans to refurbish it for operation in up to 1,500 feet of water, its original
water depth rating. The refurbishment is estimated to cost $25 million.
 
     Deepwater Markets. Drillships and semisubmersibles operate in various
market areas around the world in water depths where jackup rigs and other
bottom-supported rigs are incapable of working. Activity in such water depths
has generally been increasing over the last several years.
 
     Semisubmersibles, most of which are conventionally moored, have application
on a worldwide basis and are particularly favored in harsh environments due to
their superior motion characteristics. Depending on the generation of rig,
semisubmersibles are rated to drill in 600 feet to 5,000 feet of water. At
October 31, 1996, there were 117 semisubmersibles working, out of a total of 122
actively marketed units.
 
     Dynamically positioned drillships are used to drill wells in the world's
deepest water depth locations, since these units are not constrained by the
limitations of conventional mooring. The largest market for these drillships is
Brazil, where Petrobras has been a leader in deepwater development. Five of the
eight active dynamically positioned drillships are committed to Petrobras. Other
markets which utilize these drillships include the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, West
Africa, Australia and Southeast Asia. In addition to the eight active units,
other units are being constructed or converted to dynamic positioning,
including: Ocean Clipper, Discoverer Enterprise, Glomar Explorer and Neddrill
Muravlenko. Long-term contract commitments have been announced for each of these
units.
 
     Conventionally moored drillships generally compete with second- and
third-generation semisubmersibles in water depths up to 1,500 feet in certain
market areas, including the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, West Africa, the Indian Ocean,
Australia and Southeast Asia. In addition to four units which are owned by
state-owned oil companies which operate exclusively in India and Ghana, there
are only six remaining conventionally moored drillships. This type of drillship
is particularly suitable for operations in Southeast Asia, where locations are
widespread, resupply is difficult and sea conditions are favorable. With the
acquisition of the Deepsea Ice and Deepsea Duchess, Falcon would control two of
the four units in this market area.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   28
 
CONTRACTS AND CUSTOMERS
 
     Falcon's drilling and workover rigs are generally operated under individual
day rate contracts. Falcon's customers include major, state-owned and
independent oil and gas companies, as well as turnkey operators that do not own
rig equipment but who assume the risks associated with operations conducted on a
fixed price basis. Historically, most domestic drilling contracts have been on a
well-by-well basis, while contracts in the international markets typically are
offered on a term basis. Workover contracts are also typically on a well-by-well
basis and are shorter in duration than drilling contracts.
 
     Day rate contracts generally provide for a fixed day rate, regardless of
whether drilling is successful. Drilling contracts also provide for lower rates
during periods when the rig is being moved or when drilling operations are
interrupted or restricted by equipment breakdowns, adverse weather or water
conditions or other conditions beyond the control of Falcon. Under day rate
contracts, Falcon generally pays operating expenses of the rig, including wages
and the cost of incidental supplies. Revenues from day rate contracts have
historically accounted for a substantial portion of Falcon's revenues. Falcon
has generally been able to obtain contractual indemnification pursuant to which
Falcon's customers agree to protect and indemnify Falcon to some degree from
liability for reservoir, pollution and environmental damages, but there can be
no assurance that Falcon can obtain such indemnities in all of its contracts,
that the level of indemnification that can be obtained will be meaningful, that
such indemnification agreements will be enforceable or that the customer will be
financially able to comply with its indemnity obligations.
 
     Falcon's customers, other than in the case of the term contracts or
commitments in Venezuela and Brazil, generally include major and independent oil
and gas companies and turnkey operators operating in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. In
the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994, and 1995, Falcon contracted with 63, 80
and 75 customers, respectively, in this area. British Gas accounted for 11.1% of
total revenues in 1993. Applied Drilling Technology Inc., a provider of turnkey
drilling services, accounted for 11.2% of total revenues in 1994 and
approximately 11% of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30,
1996. Maraven accounted for 11.3% of total revenues in 1995. No other customer
accounted for more than 10% of total revenues in any such period.
 
     Falcon owns and operates three modified Lake Maracaibo type barge rigs
under five-year contracts that commenced in December 1994 and January 1995. At
October 31, 1996, seven of the seventeen rigs in the Company's domestic offshore
fleet were operating under six-month contracts with Applied Drilling Technology,
Inc. With the Peregrine I and Peregrine II operating under long-term contracts,
Petrobras has become, and is anticipated to remain, a significant customer of
the Company.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   29
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
directors and principal executive officers of Falcon:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 NAME                AGE                      POSITION
    ------------------------------   ----  -----------------------------------------------
    <S>                              <C>   <C>
    Steven A. Webster.............    45   Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
                                           Officer
    Bernie W. Stewart.............    52   Chief Operating Officer
    Robert H. Reeves, Jr. ........    59   Executive Vice President
    Robert F. Fulton..............    45   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
                                           Officer
    Leighton E. Moss..............    45   Vice President and General Counsel
    Steven R. Meheen..............    40   Vice President -- Deepwater Operations
    Michael E. Blake..............    38   President of Falcon Workover
    Rodney W. Meisetschlaeger.....    43   Vice President -- Offshore Operations
    Lloyd M. Pellegrin............    49   Vice President -- Administration
    Don P. Rodney.................    49   Vice President -- Finance
    Purnendu Chatterjee...........    45   Director
    Douglas A. P. Hamilton........    50   Director
    Kenneth H. Hannan, Jr. .......    55   Director
    James R. Latimer, III.........    50   Director
    William R. Ziegler............    54   Director
</TABLE>
 
     Mr. Webster, a director and the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Falcon since its organization in 1991, is a founder and original investor in
Falcon and its predecessors, which commenced operation in 1988. In addition to
his administrative duties, Mr. Webster has been responsible for developing
Falcon's strategic plan, raising capital and implementing its acquisition
program. He serves as a director of Crown Resources Corporation (a mining
company), a director of DI Industries, Inc. (a land drilling contractor), and as
a trust manager of Camden Property Trust (a real estate investment trust). Mr.
Webster is also a general partner of Equipment Asset Recovery Fund (an
investment fund).
 
     Mr. Stewart joined Falcon in April 1996 as Chief Operating Officer. From
1993 until joining Falcon, Mr. Stewart was Chief Operating Officer for Hornbeck
Offshore Services, Inc., an offshore supply boat operator, where he was
responsible for overall supervision of that company's operations. From 1986
until 1993, he was President of Western Oceanics, Inc., an offshore drilling
contractor.
 
     Mr. Reeves, Executive Vice President of Falcon since January 1993, is
responsible for managing Falcon's domestic barge rig business. Mr. Reeves joined
Two "R" Drilling Company Inc. in 1961 and served as its President from 1974
until joining Falcon in December 1992. Two "R" Drilling Company Inc., which was
the first company to utilize barge rigs, was co-founded by Mr. Reeves' father in
1944. Mr. Reeves was instrumental in building Two "R" Drilling Company Inc. into
a leading company in the shallow-water drilling market.
 
     Mr. Fulton, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Falcon
since January 1, 1995, is responsible for overseeing accounting, financial and
general administrative matters. From 1991 until joining Falcon in 1995, Mr.
Fulton served as an executive officer of Chiles Offshore Corporation (which has
merged with Noble Offshore Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Noble
Drilling Corporation), most recently as Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer.
 
     Mr. Moss, Vice President and General Counsel of Falcon, joined Falcon on
January 1, 1996, and is primarily responsible for management of the legal
affairs of Falcon. From October 1995 until joining Falcon, Mr. Moss was a member
of the law firm of Gardere Wynne Sewell & Riggs, L.L.P. For more than five years
prior to October 1995, Mr. Moss was a member of the law firm of Sewell & Riggs,
P.C.
 
     Mr. Meheen, Vice President -- Deepwater Operations of Falcon since January
1995, is responsible for development and operation of Falcon's deepwater
business. Mr. Meheen has been employed in offshore operations since 1976 for
Santa Fe Drilling, Maretech Pacific Ltd. and as a consultant with Mobil Oil.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   30
 
     Mr. Blake, President of Falcon Workover Company, Inc. since January 1996,
was president of the joint venture that had operated Falcon's workover business
since its formation in April 1994 until December 31, 1995. Prior to the
formation of that joint venture, Mr. Blake was President of Blake Drilling and
Workover Company and certain predecessor companies from 1986 and has been
employed by companies engaged in shallow-water barge drilling operations since
1981.
 
     Mr. Meisetschlaeger, Vice President -- Offshore Operations of Falcon since
1993, is responsible for managing Falcon's offshore operations. He served in a
similar capacity for the Huthnance Drilling Division of Grace from 1981 until
joining Falcon in 1993.
 
     Mr. Pellegrin, Vice President -- Administration of Falcon since November
1992, has primary responsibility for administrative matters, personnel safety
and risk management. He held a similar position with Atlantic Pacific Marine
Corporation, where he worked from 1977 until joining Falcon in 1992.
 
     Mr. Rodney, Vice President -- Finance of Falcon since November 1992, has
overall responsibility for the accounting and control functions for both the
offshore and barge divisions. He worked for Atlantic Pacific Marine Corporation
from 1977 through 1992, serving as controller for his last nine years.
 
     Dr. Chatterjee, a director of Falcon since 1993, is an investor in public
and private companies and has been associated with the George Soros organization
for approximately eleven years. A corporation controlled by Dr. Chatterjee is
the general partner of a limited partnership that is Falcon's largest
stockholder. In January 1993, Dr. Chatterjee, without admitting or denying the
charges, resolved an action brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission
alleging that he had disclosed material non-public information by paying a fine
and consenting to an injunction that requires, among other things, observance of
applicable securities laws and regulations. Dr. Chatterjee is a director of
Geotek Communications, Inc., a broadcasting communications equipment company.
 
     Mr. Hamilton, a director of Falcon since 1992, is a private investor who is
one of Falcon's original investors. He has experience in executive management in
various businesses and has been an investor in oil and gas ventures since 1983.
 
     Mr. Hannan, a director of Falcon since 1991, is President of Colonial
Navigation, a New York-based shipping company that is affiliated with the
shipping interests of Francis and Marios Stafilopatis. Entities owned by the
Stafilopatis family were early investors in Falcon.
 
     Mr. Latimer, a director of Falcon since 1993, is an independent oil and gas
operator and investor based in Dallas. He has experience managing a large
institutional portfolio of oil and gas properties and as a management
consultant. Mr. Latimer is also the President of Raptor Exploration Company,
Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Falcon through which Falcon participates in
oil and gas exploration and production activities.
 
     Mr. Ziegler, a director of Falcon since 1991, is a partner of the law firm
of Parson & Brown and was a partner in the law firm of Whitman Breed Abbott &
Morgan and a predecessor firm until May 1994. Both firms have acted as counsel
to Falcon. He serves as a director of DI Industries, Inc. (a land drilling
contractor).
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   31
 
                              SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
 
     The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership
of Common Stock by the Selling Stockholders before and after the Offering.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           NUMBER OF                            AFTER OFFERING
                                            SHARES          NUMBER OF      -------------------------
                                          OWNED PRIOR        SHARES        NUMBER OF
                                            TO THE            BEING         SHARES
          SELLING STOCKHOLDER              OFFERING          OFFERED         OWNED        PERCENT(1)
- ----------------------------------------  -----------       ---------      ---------      ----------
<S>                                       <C>               <C>            <C>            <C>
Open Society Institute..................    2,000,000       2,000,000             --         --
Douglas A. P. Hamilton..................    1,282,570(2)    1,165,500        117,070         *
Furzedown Trading Limited...............      700,000(3)      700,000             --         --
Roberto Marsella........................       45,000          45,000             --         --
Stephen M. Dearholt.....................       60,000          30,000         30,000         *
Donald Taylor...........................       30,000          30,000             --         --
Michael Keehner.........................       15,000          15,000             --         --
Kenneth C. Huff.........................       12,000          12,000             --         --
Michael E. Porter.......................       15,000           2,500         12,500         *
                                                            ---------
          Total.........................                    4,000,000
                                                            =========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
 *  Less than one percent.
 
(1) Based upon a total of 38,546,650 shares of Common Stock outstanding.
 
(2) Includes 82,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of stock
    options under the 1992 Stock Option Plan held by Mr. Hamilton. Mr. Hamilton
    is a director of Falcon.
 
(3) Includes certain shares owned by S-C Rig Investments, L.P., of which
    Furzedown Trading Limited is a limited partner. The shares will be
    distributed to Furzedown Trading Limited prior to the closing of the
    Offering.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   32
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an Underwriting
Agreement dated           , 1996 (the "U.S. Underwriting Agreement"), the
underwriters named below (the "U.S. Underwriters"), for whom CS First Boston
Corporation, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, Salomon
Brothers Inc, Schroder Wertheim & Co. Incorporated and Simmons & Company
International are acting as representatives (the "Representatives"), have
severally but not jointly agreed to purchase from the Company and the Selling
Stockholders the following respective numbers of U.S. Shares:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                NUMBER OF
                                                                                  U.S.
                                   UNDERWRITER                                   SHARES
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------
    <S>                                                                         <C>
    CS First Boston Corporation...............................................
    Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation.......................
    Salomon Brothers Inc .....................................................
    Schroder Wertheim & Co. Incorporated .....................................
    Simmons & Company International...........................................
 
                                                                                ---------
              Total...........................................................
                                                                                =========
</TABLE>
 
     The U.S. Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the U.S.
Underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent and that the U.S.
Underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the U.S. Shares offered hereby if
any are purchased. The U.S. Underwriting Agreement provides that, in the event
of a default by a U.S. Underwriter, in certain circumstances the purchase
commitments of non-defaulting U.S. Underwriters may be increased or the U.S.
Underwriting Agreement may be terminated.
 
     The Company and the Selling Stockholders have entered into a Subscription
Agreement (the "Subscription Agreement") with the Managers of the International
Offering (the "Managers") providing for the concurrent offer and sale of the
International Shares outside the United States and Canada. The closing of the
U.S. Offering is a condition to the closing of the International Offering and
vice versa.
 
     The Company and the Selling Stockholders have granted to the U.S.
Underwriters and the Managers an option, exercisable by CS First Boston
Corporation, expiring at the close of business on the 30th day after the date of
this Prospectus, to purchase up to 1,050,000 additional shares at the initial
public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions, all as
set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus. Such option may be exercised
only to cover over-allotments in the sale of the shares of Common Stock offered
hereby. To the extent that this option to purchase is exercised, each U.S.
Underwriter and each Manager will become obligated, subject to certain
conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage of additional shares
being sold to the U.S. Underwriters and the Managers as the number of U.S.
Shares set forth next to such U.S. Underwriter's name in the preceding table and
as the number set forth next to such Manager's name in the corresponding table
in the prospectus relating to the International Offering bears to the sum of the
total number of shares of Common Stock in such tables.
 
     The Company and the Selling Stockholders have been advised by the
Representatives that the U.S. Underwriters propose to offer the U.S. Shares in
the United States and Canada to the public initially at the public offering
price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus and, through the
Representatives, to
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   33
 
certain dealers at such price less a concession of $       per share, and the
U.S. Underwriters and such dealers may allow a discount of $       per share on
sales to certain other dealers. After the initial public offering, the public
offering price and concession and discount to dealers may be changed by the
Representatives.
 
     The public offering price, the aggregate underwriting discounts and
commissions per share and per share concession and discount to dealers for the
U.S. Offering and the concurrent International Offering will be identical.
Pursuant to an Agreement between the U.S. Underwriters and Managers (the
"Intersyndicate Agreement") relating to the Common Stock Offering, changes in
the public offering price, concession and discount to dealers will be made only
upon the mutual agreement of CS First Boston Corporation, as representative of
the U.S. Underwriters, and CS First Boston Limited ("CSFBL"), on behalf of the
Managers.
 
     Pursuant to the Intersyndicate Agreement, each of the U.S. Underwriters has
agreed that, as part of the distribution of the U.S. Shares and subject to
certain exceptions, it has not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell,
directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or distribute any prospectus
relating to the Common Stock to any person outside the United States or Canada
or to any other dealer who does not so agree. Each of the Managers has agreed or
will agree that, as part of the distribution of the International Shares and
subject to certain exceptions, it has not offered or sold, and will not offer or
sell, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or distribute any
prospectus relating to the Common Stock in the United States or Canada or to any
other dealer who does not so agree. The foregoing limitations do not apply to
stabilization transactions or to transactions between the U.S. Underwriters and
the Managers pursuant to the Intersyndicate Agreement. As used herein, "United
States" means the United States of America (including the States and the
District of Columbia), its territories, possessions and other areas subject to
its jurisdiction. "Canada" means Canada, its provinces, territories, possessions
and other areas subject to its jurisdiction, and an offer or sale shall be in
the United States or Canada if it is made to (i) any individual resident in the
United States or Canada or (ii) any corporation, partnership, pension,
profit-sharing or other trust or other entity (including any such entity acting
as an investment adviser with discretionary authority) whose office most
directly involved with the purchase is located in the United States or Canada.
 
     Pursuant to the Intersyndicate Agreement, sales may be made between the
U.S. Underwriters and the Managers of such number of shares of Common Stock as
may be mutually agreed upon. The price of any shares so sold will be the public
offering price, less such amount as may be mutually agreed upon by CS First
Boston Corporation, as representative of the U.S. Underwriters, and CSFBL, on
behalf of the Managers, but not exceeding the selling concession applicable to
such shares. To the extent there are sales between the U.S. Underwriters and the
Managers pursuant to the Intersyndicate Agreement, the number of shares of
Common Stock initially available for sale by the U.S. Underwriters or by the
Managers may be more or less than the amount appearing on the cover page of the
Prospectus. Neither the U.S. Underwriters nor the Managers are obligated to
purchase from the other any unsold shares of Common Stock.
 
     This Prospectus may be used by underwriters and dealers in connection with
sales of International Shares to persons located in the United States, to the
extent such sales are permitted by the contractual limitations on sales
described above.
 
     The Company, the Selling Stockholders and certain of their affiliates have
agreed that they will not offer, sell, contract to sell, announce their
intention to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, or
file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement under
the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") relating to, any additional
shares of its Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or
exercisable for any shares of its Common Stock without the prior written consent
of CS First Boston Corporation for a period of 180 days, 90 days in the case of
the Selling Stockholders, after the date of this Prospectus, except that the
Company may (i) issue and sell Common Stock pursuant to any employee stock
option plan, stock ownership plan or dividend reinvestment plan in effect on the
date of this Prospectus, (ii) issue Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of
securities or the exercise of warrants outstanding on the date of this
Prospectus, and (iii) issue up to $15 million of Common Stock pursuant to the
Company's agreement to acquire the Deepsea Ice and the Deepsea Duchess. 
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   34
 
     The Company and the Selling Stockholders have agreed to indemnify the U.S.
Underwriters against certain liabilities, including civil liabilities under the
Securities Act, or to contribute to payments that the U.S. Underwriters and the
Managers may be required to make in respect thereof.
 
     Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation received customary fees
in connection with the placement of the Company's senior fixed rate notes,
floating rate notes, and senior subordinated notes, and in connection with the
Company's two prior public offerings of Common Stock. Salomon Brothers Inc
received customary fees in connection with a placement of the Company's senior
fixed rate notes, and in connection with one of the Company's prior public
offerings of Common Stock. Simmons & Company International received customary
fees in connection with the Company's two prior public offerings of Common
Stock.
 
     In connection with this Offering, CS First Boston Corporation and certain
of the U.S. Underwriters and selling group members (if any) and their respective
affiliates may engage in passive market making transactions in the Common Stock
on The Nasdaq Stock Market in accordance with Rule 10b-6A under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") during a period before commencement of
offers or sales of the Shares offered hereby. The passive market making
transactions must comply with applicable volume and price limits and be
identified as such.
 
                          NOTICE TO CANADIAN RESIDENTS
 
RESALE RESTRICTIONS
 
     The distribution of U.S. Shares in Canada is being made only on a private
placement basis exempt from the requirement that the Company prepare and file a
prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities in each province where
trades of U.S. Shares are effected. Accordingly, any resale of U.S. Shares in
Canada must be made in accordance with applicable securities laws which will
vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be
made in accordance with available statutory exemptions or pursuant to a
discretionary exemption granted by the applicable Canadian securities regulatory
authority. Purchasers are advised to seek legal advice prior to any resale of
U.S. Shares.
 
REPRESENTATIONS OF PURCHASERS
 
     Each purchaser of U.S. Shares in Canada who receives a purchase
confirmation will be deemed to represent to the Company and the Selling
Stockholders and the dealer from whom such purchase confirmation is received
that (i) such purchaser is entitled under applicable provincial securities laws
to purchase such U.S. Shares without the benefit of a prospectus qualified under
such securities laws, (ii) where required by law, that such purchaser is
purchasing as principal and not as agent, and (iii) such purchaser has reviewed
the text above under "Resale Restrictions."
 
RIGHTS OF ACTION AND ENFORCEMENT
 
     The securities being offered are those of a foreign issuer and Ontario
purchasers will not receive the contractual right of action prescribed by
section 32 of the Regulation under the Securities Act (Ontario). As a result,
Ontario purchasers must rely on other remedies that may be available, including
common law rights of action for damages or rescission or rights of action under
the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws.
 
     All of the issuer's directors and officers as well as experts named herein
may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible for
Ontario purchasers to effect service of process within Canada upon the issuer or
such persons. All or a substantial portion of the assets of the issuer and such
persons may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be
possible to satisfy a judgment against the issuer or such persons in Canada or
to enforce a judgment obtained in Canadian courts against such issuer or persons
outside of Canada.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   35
 
NOTICE TO BRITISH COLUMBIA RESIDENTS
 
     A purchaser of U.S. Shares to whom the Securities Act (British Columbia)
applies is advised that such purchaser is required to file with the British
Columbia Securities Commission a report within ten days of the sale of any U.S.
Shares acquired by such purchaser pursuant to this offering. Such report must be
in the form attached to British Columbia Securities Commission Blanket Order BOR
#95/17, a copy of which may be obtained from the Company. Only one such report
must be filed in respect of U.S. Shares acquired on the same date and under the
same prospectus exemption.
 
      CERTAIN UNITED STATES TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-UNITED STATES HOLDERS
 
     The following is a general discussion of certain U.S. federal income and
estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of Common Stock
applicable to Non-U.S. Holders of such Common Stock who acquire and own such
Common Stock as a capital asset within the meaning of section 1221 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). A "Non-U.S. Holder" is
any person other than (i) a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a
corporation or partnership created or organized in the United States or under
the laws of the United States or of any state, or (iii) an estate or trust whose
income is includable in gross income for United States federal income tax
purposes regardless of its source. For purposes of the withholding tax on
dividends discussed below, a non-resident fiduciary of an estate or trust will
be considered a Non-U.S. Holder.
 
     This discussion does not consider specific facts and circumstances that may
be relevant to a particular Non-U.S. Holder's tax position (including the fact
that in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a partnership, the U.S. tax
consequences of holding and disposing of shares of Common Stock may be affected
by certain determinations made at the partner level) and does not consider U.S.
state and local or non-U.S. tax consequences. This discussion also does not
consider the tax consequences for any person who is a shareholder, partner or
beneficiary of a holder of the Common Stock. Further, it does not consider
Non-U.S. Holders subject to special tax treatment under federal income tax laws
(including banks and insurance companies, dealers in securities, and holders of
securities held as part of a "straddle," "hedge," or "conversion transaction").
The following discussion is based on provisions of the Code, the applicable
Treasury regulations promulgated and proposed thereunder, and administrative and
judicial interpretations as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to
change either retroactively or prospectively. THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS INCLUDED
HEREIN FOR GENERAL INFORMATION. EACH PROSPECTIVE NON-U.S. HOLDER IS URGED TO
CONSULT A TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE U.S. FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES OF
HOLDING AND DISPOSING OF COMMON STOCK, AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES THAT MAY
ARISE UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY U.S. STATE, LOCAL OR OTHER U.S. OR NON-U.S. TAXING
JURISDICTION.
 
DIVIDENDS
 
     In general, dividends (to the extent of earnings and profits for federal
income tax purposes) paid to a Non-U.S. Holder of Common Stock will be subject
to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as
may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. Dividends that are
effectively connected with such holder's conduct of a trade or business in the
United States or, if a tax treaty applies, attributable to a permanent
establishment, or, in the case of an individual, a "fixed base," in the United
States ("U.S. trade or business income"), are generally subject to U.S. federal
income tax at regular rates, but are not generally subject to the 30%
withholding tax if the Non-U.S. Holder files the appropriate form with the
payor. Any U.S. trade or business income received by a Non-U.S. Holder that is a
corporation may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional
"branch profits tax" at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be applicable under
an income tax treaty.
 
     Under current U.S. Treasury regulations, dividends paid to an address in a
foreign country are presumed, absent actual knowledge to the contrary, to be
paid to a resident of such country for purposes of the withholding discussed
above and for purposes of determining the applicability of a tax treaty rate.
Under proposed U.S. Treasury regulations, not currently in effect, however, a
Non-U.S. Holder of Common Stock who wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable
treaty rate would be required to satisfy applicable certification
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   36
 
and other requirements, which would include the requirement that the Non-U.S.
Holder file a form which contains the holder's name and address and an official
statement by the competent authority in the foreign country (as designated in
the applicable tax treaty) attesting to the holder's status as a resident
thereof.
 
     A Non-U.S. Holder of Common Stock that is eligible for a reduced rate of
U.S. withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any
excess amounts currently withheld by filing an appropriate claim for a refund
with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
 
DISPOSITION OF COMMON STOCK
 
     Under current U.S. law, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to
U.S. federal income tax in respect of gain recognized on a disposition of Common
Stock unless (i) the gain is U.S. trade or business income, (ii) the Non-U.S.
Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 or more days
in the taxable year of the disposition and meets certain other requirements,
(iii) the Non-U.S. Holder is subject to tax pursuant to the provisions of U.S.
tax law applicable to certain United States expatriates, or (iv) the Company was
a "U.S. real property holding corporation" for federal income tax purposes
(unless the Common Stock is "regularly traded on an established securities
market" and the Non-U.S. Holder did not hold, directly or indirectly, at any
time during the five-year period ending on the date of disposition of Common
stock, more than 5% of the Common stock). The Company believes that it is not
now and has not been within the past five years, and anticipates that it will
not become, a "U.S. real property holding corporation" for U.S. federal income
tax purposes.
 
FEDERAL ESTATE TAXES
 
     Common Stock owned or treated as owned by an individual who is a Non-U.S.
Holder at the time of death will be included in the individual's gross estate
for U.S. federal estate tax purposes, unless an applicable estate tax treaty
provides otherwise. Such individual's estate may be subject to United States
federal estate tax on the property includable in the estate for U.S. federal
estate tax purposes.
 
U.S. INFORMATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING TAX
 
     The Company must report annually to the Internal Revenue Service and to
each Non-U.S. Holder the amount of dividends paid to, and the tax withheld with
respect to, each Non-U.S. Holder. These reporting requirements apply whether or
not withholding was reduced or eliminated by an applicable tax treaty. Copies of
these information returns may also be made available under the provisions of a
specific treaty or agreement to the tax authorities in the country in which the
Non-U.S. Holder resides. The United States backup withholding tax (which
generally is a withholding tax imposed at the rate of 31% on certain payments to
persons that fail to furnish the information required under the United States
information reporting requirements) generally will not apply to dividends paid
on the Common Stock to a Non-U.S. Holder at an address outside the United
States.
 
     The payment of the proceeds from the disposition of Common Stock to or
through the U.S. office of a broker is subject to information reporting and
backup withholding at a rate of 31% unless the owner certifies its non-U.S.
status under penalty of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption. The
payment of the proceeds from the disposition of Common Stock to or through the
foreign office of a foreign broker generally will not be subject to backup
withholding and information reporting. In the case of the payment of proceeds
from the disposition of Common Stock effected by a foreign office of a broker
that is a U.S. person or a "U.S. related person," existing regulations require
information reporting on the payment unless the broker receives a statement from
the owner, signed under penalty of perjury, certifying its non-U.S. status or
the broker has documentary evidence in its files as to the Non-U.S. Holder's
foreign status and the broker has no actual knowledge to the contrary. For this
purpose, a "U.S. related person" is (i) a "controlled foreign corporation" for
U.S. federal income tax purposes or (ii) a foreign person 50% or more of whose
gross income from all sources for the three-year period ending with the close of
its taxable year preceding the payment (or for such part of the period that the
broker has been in existence) is derived from activities that are effectively
connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business. Existing regulations
reserve on the question of whether
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   37
 
reportable payments made through foreign offices of a broker that is a U.S.
person or "U.S. related person" will be subject to backup withholding, but
provide that if a rule imposing backup withholding were adopted it would be
prospective only. Proposed regulations state that backup withholding will not
apply to such payments (absent actual knowledge that the payee is a U.S.
person).
 
     Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a
Non-U.S. Holder will be allowed as a refund or a credit against such Non-U.S.
Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required
information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The legality of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby is being passed
upon for Falcon by Parson & Brown, New York, New York. William R. Ziegler, a
partner of Parson & Brown, is a member of the board of directors of Falcon and
owns beneficially an aggregate of 2,221,300 shares of Common Stock. See
"Management." In addition, an associate of Parson & Brown is the Secretary of
Falcon and holds options granted pursuant to Falcon's 1992 Stock Option Plan to
acquire an aggregate of 15,000 shares of Common Stock. Certain legal matters in
connection with the sale of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be
passed upon for the Underwriters by Andrews & Kurth L.L.P., Houston, Texas.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in
this Prospectus and elsewhere in the Registration Statement have been audited by
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their
reports with respect thereto, and are included or incorporated by reference
herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said
reports.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   38
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     Falcon is subject to the requirements of the Exchange Act, and in
accordance therewith files periodic reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such
reports and other information may be inspected, and copies may be obtained, at
the Commission's Public Reference Section, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, as well as the following regional offices: 7 World
Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048 and 500 West Madison Street,
Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60606. Copies of the foregoing material can also
be obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents previously filed by Falcon with the Commission
pursuant to the Exchange Act are incorporated in this Prospectus by reference:
(a) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995; (b)
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 1996, June 30,
1996 and September 30, 1996; (d) Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 21,
1996; and (d) the description of Common Stock contained in registration
statement on Form 8-A under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, including any
amendment or report updating such description. In addition, all documents filed
by Falcon pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering
shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a
part hereof from the date of filing of such documents (such documents, and the
documents enumerated above, being hereinafter referred to as "Incorporated
Documents"). Any statement contained in an Incorporated Document shall be deemed
to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that
a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed Incorporated
Document modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement shall not be
deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Prospectus.
 
     Falcon will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial
owner, to whom a copy of this Prospectus has been delivered, upon the written or
oral request of any such person, a copy of any or all of the Incorporated
Documents, other than exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference therein. Requests shall be directed to
Falcon Drilling Company, Inc., 1900 West Loop South, Suite 1800, Houston, Texas
77027, Attention: Don P. Rodney, Vice President -- Finance (telephone number
(713) 623-8984).
 
     This Prospectus constitutes a part of the Registration Statement on Form
S-3 filed by Falcon with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"). This Prospectus omits certain of the information
contained in the Registration Statement, and reference is hereby made to the
Registration Statement and to the exhibits thereto for further information with
respect to Falcon and the Common Stock. Any statements contained herein
concerning the provisions of any documents are not necessarily complete, and
reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the Commission. Each such
statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference. The information
relating to Falcon contained in this Prospectus should be read together with the
information contained in the Incorporated Documents.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   39
 
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        PAGE
                                                                                        ----
<S>                                                                                     <C>
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC.:
  Report of Independent Public Accountants............................................   F-2
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1994, 1995 and September 30, 1996
     (Unaudited)......................................................................   F-3
  Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 1993, 1994
     and 1995 and the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1995 (Unaudited) and 1996
     (Unaudited)......................................................................   F-4
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 1993, 1994
     and 1995 and the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1995 (Unaudited) and 1996
     (Unaudited)......................................................................   F-5
  Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31,
     1993, 1994 and 1995 and the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 (Unaudited).....   F-7
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..........................................   F-8
</TABLE>
 
                                       F-1
<PAGE>   40
 
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To Falcon Drilling Company, Inc.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Falcon
Drilling Company, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) (Falcon) and subsidiaries as of
December 31, 1994 and 1995 and the related consolidated statements of
operations, cash flows and stockholders' equity for each of the three years in
the period ended December 31, 1995. These financial statements are the
responsibility of Falcon's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Falcon Drilling Company,
Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994 and 1995, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1995, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                            ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Houston, Texas
March 19, 1996
 
                                       F-2
<PAGE>   41
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                        AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND 1995
                       AND SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 DECEMBER 31,        SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                              -------------------        1996
                                                                1994       1995       (UNAUDITED)
                                                              --------   --------     -----------
                                                               (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>          <C>
                           ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents.................................  $  4,868   $  9,016      $   6,309
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful                                   
     accounts of $463, $375 and $625 at December 31, 1994                              
     and 1995 and September 30, 1996, respectively..........    31,795     38,000         68,834
  Other current assets......................................     5,577      4,888          3,080
                                                              --------   --------      ---------
          Total current assets..............................    42,240     51,904         78,223
EQUIPMENT AND PROPERTY:                                                                
  Drilling rigs and equipment...............................   185,818    295,004        464,635
  Vessels and other equipment...............................     2,197      3,903          6,106
                                                              --------   --------      ---------
                                                               188,015    298,907        470,741
  Less -- Accumulated depreciation..........................   (17,192)   (33,299)       (53,285)
                                                              --------   --------      ---------
                                                               170,823    265,608        417,456
OTHER ASSETS................................................    10,483     23,511         18,045
INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES.................       600         --             --
                                                              --------   --------      ---------
          Total assets......................................  $224,146   $341,023      $ 513,724
                                                              ========   ========      =========
            LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                       
CURRENT LIABILITIES:                                                                   
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities..................  $ 22,747   $ 31,326      $  42,576
  Income tax payable........................................        95        141            166
  Debt and other obligations due within one year............    17,021      3,999          3,124
                                                              --------   --------      ---------
          Total current liabilities.........................    39,863     35,466         45,866
LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS, less current                                     
  portion...................................................   141,379    179,362        312,405
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES.......................................     3,315     10,679         20,838
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES                                                          
MINORITY INTEREST IN CONSOLIDATED                                                      
  SUBSIDIARIES..............................................     1,357         --             --
PREFERRED STOCK, Series B redeemable, no par value, 500, 0,                            
  and 0 shares designated, issued and outstanding on                                   
  December 31, 1994 and 1995 and September 30, 1996,                                   
  respectively..............................................     4,145         --             --
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:                                                                  
  Common stock, $.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares                                     
     authorized, 15,922,500, 35,244,384 and 35,465,317                                 
     shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 1994 and                            
     1995 and September 30, 1996, respectively..............       159        352            355
  Preferred stock, no par value, 526,489 shares of all                                 
     Series authorized, 25,989 shares of Series A                                      
     designated. Each of the 25,989 shares outstanding was                             
     converted into 300 shares of common stock on August 2,                            
     1995...................................................    14,328         --             --
  Additional paid-in capital................................    21,970    112,853        113,905
  Accumulated earnings (deficit)............................    (2,370)     2,311         20,355
                                                              --------   --------      ---------
          Total stockholders' equity........................    34,087    115,516        134,615
                                                              --------   --------      ---------
          Total liabilities and stockholders' equity........  $224,146   $341,023      $ 513,724
                                                              ========   ========      =========
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                       F-3
<PAGE>   42
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995
            AND THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 (UNAUDITED)
                       AND SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                 SEPTEMBER 30,
                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,            (UNAUDITED)
                                           -------------------------------    --------------------
                                            1993        1994        1995        1995        1996
                                           -------    --------    --------    --------    --------
                                                  (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
OPERATING REVENUES.......................  $58,853    $138,411    $177,505    $128,613    $220,965
MANAGEMENT FEES FROM RELATED PARTIES.....    2,987          92          --          --          --
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
  Operating costs........................   46,126      95,256     120,992      86,934     141,311
  General and administrative expenses....    5,520      11,887      13,871      10,327      13,191
  Depreciation...........................    2,990       9,445      16,527      11,703      20,839
                                           -------    --------    --------    --------    --------
OPERATING INCOME.........................    7,204      21,915      26,115      19,649      45,624
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE:
  Interest expense.......................    2,743      12,046      18,021      13,277      18,158
  Amortization of deferred costs.........      538         690       2,140       1,642       2,108
  Foreign currency translation gain......       --          --      (1,023)         --          --
  Other income, net......................     (927)     (1,969)     (2,850)     (2,359)     (3,283)
                                           -------    --------    --------    --------    --------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND MINORITY
  INTEREST...............................    4,850      11,148       9,827       7,089      28,641
INCOME TAX PROVISION.....................      952       3,232       3,481       2,319      10,597
                                           -------    --------    --------    --------    --------
INCOME BEFORE MINORITY
  INTEREST...............................    3,898       7,916       6,346       4,770      18,044
MINORITY INTEREST........................       --       3,486       1,291       1,291          --
                                           -------    --------    --------    --------    --------
NET INCOME...............................    3,898       4,430       5,055       3,479      18,044
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS AND
  ACCRETION..............................      743         565         374         304          --
                                           -------    --------    --------    --------    --------
NET INCOME APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES...  $ 3,155    $  3,865    $  4,681    $  3,175    $ 18,044
                                           =======    ========    ========    ========    ========
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE..............  $  0.14    $   0.14    $   0.16    $   0.11    $   0.50
                                           =======    ========    ========    ========    ========
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                       F-4
<PAGE>   43
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995
          AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 (UNAUDITED)
                       AND SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         NINE MONTHS
                                                                                                     ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,               (UNAUDITED)
                                                              ----------------------------------    ---------------------
                                                                1993        1994         1995         1995        1996
                                                              --------    ---------    ---------    --------    ---------
                                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income................................................. $  3,898    $   4,430    $   5,055    $  3,479    $  18,044
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
    (used in) operating activities --
    Depreciation and amortization............................    3,528       10,135       18,667      13,345       22,947
    Realized gain on sale of assets..........................       --       (1,337)        (962)       (778)        (775)
    Minority interest in earnings of subsidiary..............       --        3,486        1,291       1,291           --
    Provision for deferred income taxes......................      902        1,643        3,481       2,319       10,159
    Foreign currency translation gain........................       --           --       (1,023)         --           --
    Changes in assets and liabilities --
      Accounts receivable, trade.............................  (11,463)      (8,446)      (6,251)     (5,840)     (30,834)
      Other assets, less increase in deposits for rigs and
        equipment............................................   (4,947)      (5,026)        (283)       (486)       3,021
      Accounts payable and accrued liabilities...............    4,913       13,746        3,582      (2,327)      11,275
                                                              --------    ---------    ---------    --------    ---------
        Net cash provided by (used in) operating
          activities.........................................   (3,169)      18,631       23,557      11,003       33,837
                                                              --------    ---------    ---------    --------    ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchase of FALRIG Offshore Inc., net of cash acquired.....       --      (25,389)          --          --           --
  Purchase of FALRIG Offshore (USA), L.P., net of cash
    acquired.................................................       --      (28,015)          --          --           --
  Purchases of equipment and property........................  (12,802)     (50,348)    (104,138)    (78,817)    (173,220)
  (Deposits) refunds of deposits for drillpipe, rigs and
    equipment, net...........................................       --           --      (11,155)         --        6,174
  Distribution for minority owner's interest in Blake
    Workover.................................................       --           --       (1,804)     (1,804)          --
  Cash increase arising from the consolidation of FALRIG
    Offshore (USA), L.P. ....................................    3,990           --           --          --           --
  Proceeds from sale of equipment and property...............       --        2,550        3,201       3,019        1,307
  Other......................................................       12           --           --          --           --
                                                              --------    ---------    ---------    --------    ---------
        Net cash used in investing activities................   (8,800)    (101,202)    (113,896)    (77,602)    (165,739)
                                                              --------    ---------    ---------    --------    ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Issuance of debt...........................................   16,699      120,000       50,000      50,000      140,000
  Payments of outstanding debt...............................   (5,179)     (35,288)     (19,071)    (18,984)     (22,831)
  Borrowings pursuant to revolving credit
    facility.................................................       --        5,000       28,000      16,000       32,000
  Payments of amounts borrowed pursuant to revolving credit
    facility.................................................       --           --      (28,000)    (11,000)     (17,000)
  Issuance of common stock, net..............................       --           --       70,423      35,027        1,054
  Debt issuance costs........................................       --       (5,130)      (2,125)     (2,125)      (4,028)
  Issuance of Series A and B preferred stock, net of offering
    expenses.................................................    6,585           --           --          --           --
  Redemption of preferred stock..............................       --       (3,500)      (3,500)         --           --
  Dividends on preferred stock...............................       --         (351)      (1,019)         --           --
                                                              --------    ---------    ---------    --------    ---------
        Net cash provided by financing activities............   18,105       80,731       94,708      68,918      129,195
                                                              --------    ---------    ---------    --------    ---------
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH.............................       --           --         (221)         --           --
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS.........    6,136       (1,840)       4,148       2,319       (2,707)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD.............      572        6,708        4,868       4,868        9,016
                                                              --------    ---------    ---------    --------    ---------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD................... $  6,708    $   4,868    $   9,016    $  7,187    $   6,309
                                                              ========    =========    =========    ========    =========
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                       F-5
<PAGE>   44
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS -- (CONTINUED)
 
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995
          AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 (UNAUDITED)
                       AND SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         NINE MONTHS
                                                                                                     ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,              (UNAUDITED)
                                                               ----------------------------------    --------------------
                                                                 1993        1994         1995         1995        1996
                                                               --------    ---------    ---------    --------    --------
                                                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES:
  Interest paid............................................... $  2,378    $   6,925    $  17,488    $ 16,607    $ 24,760
  Income taxes paid...........................................       --        2,125           --         593          30
  Purchase of FALRIG Offshore, Inc., net of cash acquired --
    Equipment and property....................................       --      (36,005)          --          --          --
    Accounts receivable, net..................................       --       (3,850)          --          --          --
    Other current assets......................................       --          (85)          --          --          --
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities..................       --        1,247           --          --          --
    Income taxes payable......................................       --        1,584           --          --          --
    Deferred income taxes.....................................       --       11,720           --          --          --
                                                               --------    ---------    ---------    --------    --------
        Net cash used for acquisition.........................       --      (25,389)          --          --          --
Noncash investing and financing activities --
  Warrants exercised for shares of common stock and debt
    cancellation..............................................      145            4           --          --          --
  Issuance of Series A and B preferred stock in satisfaction
    of advance from a stockholder (Chatterjee Interests)......   15,000           --           --          --          --
  Issuance of common stock for debt cancellation..............       --          605           --          --          --
  Issuance of common stock for 49% interest in FALRIG Offshore
    (USA), L.P. ..............................................   12,409           --           --          --          --
  Debt issuance for acquisition of partnership interest.......    2,200           --           --          --          --
  Obligation for rig acquisition recorded for financial
    statement purposes........................................    5,000           --           --          --          --
  Debt issuance for rig acquisition...........................       --       11,700           --          --          --
  Issuance of common stock for purchase of 50% of Blake
    Workover and one barge rig................................       --           --        6,325          --          --
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                       F-6
<PAGE>   45
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995
            AND THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               SERIES A
                                                                              CONVERTIBLE
                                                      COMMON STOCK          PREFERRED STOCK      ADDITIONAL    ACCUMULATED
                                                  --------------------    -------------------     PAID-IN       EARNINGS
                                                    SHARES      AMOUNT    SHARES      AMOUNT      CAPITAL       (DEFICIT)
                                                  ----------    ------    -------    --------    ----------    -----------
<S>                                               <C>           <C>       <C>        <C>         <C>           <C>
                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
BALANCE, January 1, 1993........................  11,695,200     $117          --    $     --     $  7,421       $(6,564)
NET INCOME......................................          --       --          --          --           --         3,898
ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED STOCK, net of offering
  expenses of $672..............................          --       --      25,989      14,328           --            --
ISSUANCE OF COMMON STOCK FOR PARTNERSHIP
  INTEREST......................................   3,600,000       36          --          --       12,373            --
ISSUANCE OF COMMON STOCK FOR EXTENSION OF
  PURCHASE OPTION...............................     150,000        2          --          --        1,426        (1,428)
WARRANTS EXERCISED FOR SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
  AND DEBT CANCELLATION.........................      99,900       --          --          --          145            --
DIVIDENDS AND ACCRETION OF REDEEMABLE PREFERRED
  STOCK.........................................          --       --          --          --           --          (743)
                                                  ----------     ----     -------    --------     --------       -------
BALANCE, December 31, 1993......................  15,545,100      155      25,989      14,328       21,365        (4,837)
NET INCOME......................................          --       --          --          --           --         4,430
ISSUANCE OF COMMON STOCK FOR CONVERSION OF
  SUBORDINATED DEBT.............................     212,700        2          --          --          603            --
WARRANTS EXERCISED FOR SHARES OF COMMON STOCK...     164,700        2          --          --            2            --
EXCESS OF COST OF ASSETS ACQUIRED FROM
  SHAREHOLDERS IN EXCESS OF SHAREHOLDER'S
  HISTORICAL NET BOOK VALUE.....................          --       --          --          --           --        (1,398)
DIVIDENDS AND ACCRETION OF REDEEMABLE PREFERRED
  STOCK.........................................          --       --          --          --           --          (565)
                                                  ----------     ----     -------    --------     --------       -------
BALANCE, December 31, 1994......................  15,922,500      159      25,989      14,328       21,970        (2,370)
NET INCOME......................................          --       --          --          --           --         5,055
CONVERSION OF SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED
  STOCK.........................................   7,796,700       78     (25,989)    (14,328)      14,250            --
ISSUANCE OF COMMON STOCK........................   7,425,000       75          --          --       65,225            --
ISSUANCE OF COMMON STOCK FOR PURCHASE OF
  BUSINESS AND ASSETS...........................     702,778        7          --          --        6,318            --
ISSUANCE OF COMMON STOCK FOR EXERCISE OF
  WARRANTS AND OPTIONS..........................   3,397,406       33          --          --        5,090            --
DIVIDENDS AND ACCRETION OF PREFERRED STOCK......          --       --          --          --           --          (374)
                                                  ----------     ----     -------    --------     --------       -------
BALANCE, December 31, 1995......................  35,244,384     $352          --    $     --     $112,853       $ 2,311
NET INCOME (unaudited)..........................          --       --          --          --           --        18,044
ISSUANCE OF COMMON STOCK FOR EXERCISE OF
  WARRANTS AND OPTIONS (unaudited)..............     220,933        3          --          --        1,052            --
                                                  ----------     ----     -------    --------     --------       -------
BALANCE, September 30, 1996 (unaudited).........  35,465,317     $355          --          --     $113,905       $20,355
                                                  ==========     ====     =======    ========     ========       =======
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                       F-7
<PAGE>   46
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
               (INCLUDING NOTES APPLICABLE TO UNAUDITED PERIODS)
 
1. BUSINESS, FORMATION OF COMPANY AND ACQUISITIONS AND SIGNIFICANT
   ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
 
BUSINESS
 
     Falcon Drilling Company, Inc., and its subsidiaries (collectively Falcon)
are primarily engaged in domestic and international oil and gas contract
drilling and workover operations for oil and gas companies and turnkey
operators. The consolidated financial statements of Falcon include the accounts
of Falcon and its wholly-owned subsidiaries and its controlled subsidiaries.
Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
FORMATION OF FALCON AND ACQUISITIONS
 
     Falcon commenced business in November 1991 when the partnership interests
of eight partnerships were exchanged for shares of Falcon's common stock in a
transaction which was accounted for in a manner similar to a
pooling-of-interests. The historical book values of the partnerships' accounts
were carried over at the former partnerships' basis in such assets, and
prior-period financial statements have been prepared to give effect to the
poolings as of the beginning of the earliest period presented.
 
  Falcon Rig Investment Corporation
 
     In 1992, Falcon through an affiliated company acquired rigs and other
assets from Two "R" Drilling Company, Inc. (Two "R") and Atlantic Pacific Marine
Corporation (APMC) for cash of $6,080,360 and $7,738,640 respectively. In
addition to the above cash payments on the Two "R" transaction, FRIC and Falcon
entered into contingent profits interest agreements whereby annual payments of
15% of an agreed upon amount will be paid to the rigs' former owners and a
former mortgage holder. This agreed upon amount can be generally described as
domestic barge net income, less overhead, depreciation and interest attributable
to these operations. The periods for determination of these begin in 1993 and
continue through 1997 or until payment of $5 million has been made. There were
no required payments in 1993, 1994 or 1995 or the nine months ended September
30, 1996 (unaudited).
 
  The FALRIG Partnership
 
     FALRIG Offshore (USA), L.P. (the FALRIG Partnership), an affiliate of
Falcon, acquired five jackup rigs and other equipment (the Grace Rigs) from the
Huthnance Drilling Division of Grace Offshore Company, a subsidiary of W. R.
Grace and Co., in April 1993 for a purchase price of $25 million which consisted
of $20 million in cash and a $5 million note payable. In April 1993, the FALRIG
Partnership entered into a management agreement with a wholly owned subsidiary
of Falcon whereby such subsidiary began managing the Grace Rigs. Management fees
of approximately $1,400,000 from the FALRIG Partnership have been included in
revenues in Falcon's consolidated statement of operations for the year ended
December 31, 1993.
 
     On December 31, 1993, Falcon acquired a 49% ownership interest in the
FALRIG Partnership, by issuing 3,600,000 shares of common stock to the S-C
Interests. Such shares were recorded at $12,409,000, which approximates the
former owner's historical cost basis in the FALRIG Partnership. The former owner
of the 49% limited partnership interest in the FALRIG Partnership was also an
owner of the majority of Falcon's outstanding stock on December 31, 1993. As
Falcon exercised control over the operations of the FALRIG Partnership through a
management agreement, owned a 49.5% partnership interest in the FALRIG
Partnership and had an agreement to acquire the remaining ownership interest in
the FALRIG Partnership in
 
                                       F-8
<PAGE>   47
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
1994, Falcon consolidated the balance sheet of the FALRIG Partnership at
December 31, 1993, recording a minority interest in the subsidiary of
$12,666,000. Falcon began consolidating the operating results of the FALRIG
Partnership as of January 1, 1994.
 
     Falcon agreed to acquire the remaining ownership interests in the FALRIG
Partnership in two additional transactions: (a) 50% of the partnership interest
in the FALRIG Partnership acquired from the Mullen Group for $28 million in
cash, a noninterest-bearing note for $4 million, plus a contingent purchase
price of up to $3 million payable January 17, 1995, based on post-acquisition
revenues of the assets acquired, and the (b) 0.5% partnership interest in the
FALRIG Partnership purchased from an affiliate of Falcon, Kestrel Offshore Inc.
(Kestrel), for cash of $344,400. Sixty % of Kestrel was owned by individuals who
are also officers and directors of Falcon. Falcon funded the cash portion of the
acquisition from the proceeds of the offering of the Fixed Rate Notes (Note 5).
 
     As part of the consideration for the purchase of the Mullen Group's 50%
partnership interest, Falcon had to procure a $3 million letter of credit
securing Falcon's obligation to close with the Mullen Group and a commitment to
post an additional letter of credit for $17 million that could be drawn against
to finance a portion of the cash purchase price. In November of 1993, the letter
of credit and commitment to issue a letter of credit were issued by an affiliate
of the S-C Interests. In consideration for arranging the two letters of credit,
Falcon and Falcon Offshore, Inc. jointly agreed to pay to the S-C Interests (i)
a fee of $1 million upon the issuance of the $3 million letter of credit and a
commitment for the $17 million letter of credit and (ii) an additional fee of
$500,000, which fees were paid on December 24, 1993 and have been included in
the acquisition cost of the FALRIG Partnership.
 
  The FALRIG Corporation
 
     In early 1992, Falcon negotiated the purchase of four jackup rigs (the
Teledyne Rigs) from the Offshore Drilling Division of Teledyne Inc. (Teledyne)
and subsequently transferred its rights to acquire the Teledyne Rigs to FALRIG
Offshore Inc. (the FALRIG Corporation). In May of 1992, the FALRIG Corporation
purchased the Teledyne Rigs for a cash purchase price of $4.1 million. The
FALRIG Corporation entered into a management agreement with Falcon whereby
Falcon refurbished and began operating the Teledyne Rigs. Management fees of
approximately $1,170,000 and $1,587,000, have been included as revenue in
Falcon's consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31,
1992 and 1993, respectively. The FALRIG Corporation was owned equally by members
of the Mullen Group and the Stafilopatis Group.
 
     In November 1993, Falcon directly and through its affiliates entered into a
series of agreements to acquire the outstanding debt and the full equity
interests of the FALRIG Corporation for a purchase price of approximately $25
million. In January 1994, Falcon completed the acquisition of the FALRIG
Corporation with the proceeds of the Fixed Rate Note offering (Note 5). Falcon
began consolidating the operating results of the FALRIG Corporation as of
January 24, 1994.
 
     Taladro Associates (Taladro), a general partnership composed of three
members of the Webster Group, two of whom are also officers of Falcon and two of
whom are also directors of Falcon, who each own approximately equal percentages
of Taladro, held a 4.3% contingent profit participation interest in the net
proceeds of the sale of the stock of the FALRIG Corporation by the Stafilopatis
Group, which on closing of the acquisition of the FALRIG Corporation resulted in
payment of approximately $583,000 to Taladro.
 
  Condor
 
     In March 1993, an affiliate of Falcon, Condor Drilling Company, L.P.
(Condor), acquired four barge drilling rigs (the Cliffs Rigs) from Cliffs
Drilling Company (Cliffs) for a purchase price of $6 million consisting of $5
million in cash and a $1 million note issued by Condor to Cliffs. The S-C
Interests owned all of the limited partnership interests of Condor. The general
partnership interest in Condor was owned by the
 
                                       F-9
<PAGE>   48
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
chairman of the board of Falcon. In August 1993, Falcon began operating the
first of the Cliffs Rigs pursuant to a zero cost bareboat charter agreement with
Condor and held an option to purchase the Cliffs Rigs from Condor for a purchase
price of $7 million consisting of $6 million in cash and the assumption of the
$1 million note payable to Cliffs. On December 31, 1993, as previously agreed,
Falcon issued 150,000 shares of common stock to the S-C Interests in
consideration for the extension of Falcon's option to purchase the Cliffs Rigs.
Falcon exercised its option to buy the Cliffs Rigs on September 30, 1994. The $6
million cash payment was deferred until March 31, 1995. Because of the S-C
Interests' significant ownership of Falcon, the assets and liabilities of the
Cliffs Rigs acquisition were recorded at the S-C Interests' historical cost
basis. Accordingly, at December 31, 1993, the 150,000 shares issued were
recorded as an increase in additional paid-in capital and in accumulated
deficit, based on the estimated fair market value of the stock issued;
similarly, the purchase price paid upon exercise of the option on September 30,
1994, to the S-C Interests in excess of the owners' historical net book value of
$1.4 million was treated as an increase of accumulated deficit. Imputed rental
expense related to the operation of the Cliffs Rigs from commencement of
operations through December 31, 1993, is immaterial to the financial statements
taken as a whole and has not been recorded. For the nine months prior to the
acquisition ended September 30, 1994, Falcon imputed rental expense of $300,000
which has been recorded as an increase to operating costs in the consolidated
statement of operations.
 
  Blake Workover
 
     During the second quarter of 1994, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Falcon,
Falcon Workover Company, Inc. (Falcon Workover), acquired a 50% interest in a
newly-formed partnership, Blake Workover & Drilling Company (Blake Workover).
Blake Workover was formed for the purpose of acquiring four barge workover rigs
and associated assets from Blake Drilling & Workover Co., Inc. (Blake Drilling).
Falcon managed the operations of Blake Workover and provided marketing,
administrative and other services to Blake Workover. The purchase price of the
four rigs and associated assets purchased from Blake Drilling was $5,750,000, of
which $2,750,000 was paid in cash and the remaining $3,000,000 was evidenced by
a note from Blake Workover to Blake Drilling. The note was secured by a first
mortgage on the rigs. The cash portion of the purchase price was provided by the
proceeds of a loan from Falcon to Blake Workover, which was secured by a second
mortgage on the rigs. Falcon Workover leased two workover barge rigs to Blake
Workover pursuant to a three-year zero cost bareboat charter in exchange for its
50% interest and an undertaking from Blake Workover to refurbish these rigs.
Prior to its initial purchase of an interest in Blake Workover, Falcon leased
the two barge workover rigs to Blake Drilling. Included in Falcon's revenues are
$298,000 and $74,000 for the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1994,
respectively, attributable to such lease. On June 8, 1994, Blake Workover
borrowed $605,000 from Falcon pursuant to a note agreement to purchase the
La-Tex 4 workover rig. The note bears interest at 5%, is due in three years and
is secured by a mortgage lien on the rig.
 
     The acquisition of the remaining 50% interest in Blake Workover and certain
crewboats and tugboats utilized in the business of Blake Workover was completed
on August 15, 1995 through the issuance of 638,889 shares of Falcon's common
stock and cash of $6.8 million, which included the retirement of debt
outstanding of $2.3 million.
 
     The following presents the unaudited pro forma results of operations of
Falcon for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, as if the
above-described acquisitions of the FALRIG Partnership, the FALRIG Corporation
and the 50% interest of Blake Workover had occurred on January 1, 1993 and as if
the
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>   49
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
remaining 50% in Blake Workover and certain crewboats and tugboats used in the
business of Blake Workover had occurred on January 1, 1994 (in thousands, except
per share amounts):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                           --------------------------------
                                                             1993        1994        1995
                                                           --------    --------    --------
                                                                     (UNAUDITED)
    <S>                                                    <C>         <C>         <C>
    Pro forma operating revenues.......................... $132,657    $143,589    $177,505
    Pro forma net income before taxes and minority
      interest............................................   13,436      10,571       9,789
    Pro forma net income applicable to common shares......    7,145       5,757       5,496
    Pro forma net income per common share................. $   0.28    $   0.20    $   0.18
</TABLE>
 
     The pro forma results presented above are not necessarily indicative of the
actual results that would have occurred had the acquisitions actually taken
place at the beginning of the periods presented. In addition, the pro forma
results are not intended to be a projection of future results of combined
operations.
 
  FOI and Turnstone
 
     On October 1, 1993, Falcon entered into an agreement with the chairman of
the board of Falcon, who was also the owner of Falcon Offshore, Inc. (FOI),
whereby Falcon had the right to purchase the outstanding equity interest of FOI
for a nominal purchase price and assumption of its subordinated debt. In July
1993, FOI entered into a purchase arrangement which would allow FOI to acquire a
jackup rig, the Seahawk, following a period of refurbishment. An operating
arrangement was entered into between the parties which allowed FOI to operate
the Seahawk for payments which were applied against the agreed-upon purchase
price. Payment for the equity interest in FOI and assumption of its subordinated
debt were completed in January 1994, and payment for the purchase of the Seahawk
was made in February 1994. As the agreement to purchase the equity interest in
FOI was entered into in 1993, the agreement for FOI to purchase the Seahawk was
entered into in 1993, significant expenditures were made to refurbish the
Seahawk in 1993 and the Seahawk was placed in service in 1993, Falcon has
recorded the Seahawk as a purchase for financial reporting purposes in 1993 and
depreciation expense has been recorded from the date it was placed in service
(October 1993).
 
     In August 1993, an affiliate of Falcon, Turnstone Drilling Company, L.P.
(Turnstone), purchased a submersible rig (renamed Rig 203) for a purchase price
of $2.2 million funded by a nonrecourse secured note payable to a bank. The
general partnership interest in Turnstone was owned by a company controlled by
the chairman of the board of Falcon. In November 1993, Falcon entered into a
management agreement with Turnstone providing for Falcon to operate Rig 203. Due
to Falcon's affiliation with FOI and Turnstone and the exercise of the options
to purchase FOI and Turnstone at nominal purchase prices in January 1994, the
financial statements of FOI and Turnstone from inception have been consolidated
with the financial statements of Falcon and, accordingly, the accounts and
transactions between Falcon, FOI and Turnstone have been eliminated in
consolidation. In the fourth quarter of 1995, in connection with deploying Rig
203 to Venezuela, Turnstone's note secured by the rig was assumed by Falcon
Drilling Company, Inc. and Turnstone was dissolved.
 
  Dynamically positioned drillships, the Peregrine I, II and III
 
     In September 1995, Falcon purchased a dynamically positioned drillship, the
Peregrine I for a purchase price of $9.8 million. At December 31, 1995 the
Peregrine I was in Singapore undergoing refurbishment. Falcon incurred
refurbishment and upgrade costs and the purchase of additional riser, BOP
equipment and other fleet spares and inventory of approximately $6.5 million
during 1995 and $60 million during the nine months ended September 30, 1996,
which costs are included in rigs and equipment. Falcon has entered into a
contract with Petroleo Brasiliero S.A. providing for the Peregrine I to drill
offshore Brazil for a five-year period. In September 1996, Falcon recorded a
$2.5 million fee realized when the Peregrine I was delivered to Brazil in
November which is reflected in revenues for the nine months ended September 30,
1996 (unaudited). The Peregrine I commenced operations in November, 1996
(unaudited).
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>   50
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     In August 1995, Falcon exchanged a written offer and acceptance with UME
Drilling, Ltd. ("UME") to acquire the Pacnorse I, a dynamically positioned
drillship. UME refused to complete the sale and Falcon initiated litigation in
England to assert its contract rights to prevent the sale of the vessel to
another party. The English court required Falcon to post a $5 million deposit to
secure the undertaking of its pleadings. This deposit was included in other
assets in Falcon's December 31, 1995 consolidated balance sheet. In February
1996, Falcon acquired the Pacnorse I (renamed Peregrine II) for a purchase price
of $24 million, dismissed the litigation, and received a refund of the $5
million deposit. Falcon assumed the drilling contract with Petrobras for a term
through the third quarter of 1998 (unaudited).
 
     In May 1996, Falcon completed the purchase of the Pelerin, a dynamically
positioned drillship, for a purchase price of approximately $33.0 million and
changed the name of the vessel to the Peregrine III (unaudited). Falcon has
assumed a series of drilling contracts which management estimates will utilize
the Peregrine III through 1998 (unaudited). Prior to the purchase, the Peregrine
III was managed on behalf of its owner by Foramer, S.A. and as one of the
conditions of purchase, Falcon entered into a management agreement with Foramer
pursuant to which Foramer was to manage the vessel until December 31, 1996
(unaudited). During October 1996, the management agreement with Foramer was
terminated for a fee of $250,000 (unaudited) and Falcon assumed responsibility
for managing the vessel. Falcon signed a new technical services agreement with
Foramer whereby Foramer is to provide Falcon with particular drillship personnel
through February 1997 (unaudited).
 
     In June 1996, Falcon entered into a contract to purchase a substantially
completed drillship hull for approximately $8.0 million (unaudited). Management
estimates that it will cost approximately $120 million to complete the
construction necessary for this hull to become an operational drillship,
although Falcon currently has no construction obligations relative to this hull
(unaudited). Management does not intend to undertake the completion of this hull
until Falcon has obtained a long-term commitment for the use of the completed
drillship and arranged for financing of the construction (unaudited).
 
  Additional Expansion of Rig Fleets
 
     In June 1994, Falcon entered into an agreement with Eilert-Olsen
Investments, Inc. (Eilert-Olsen), to buy the equity interest of Eilert-Olsen for
a nominal purchase price. In June of 1994, Eilert-Olsen acquired three barge
drilling rigs for a cost of approximately $2.8 million consisting of cash of
approximately $900,000 and the assumption of debt of approximately $1.9 million
secured by the three barge drilling rigs. Falcon advanced $900,000 to
Eilert-Olsen in June of 1994 and has subsequently advanced approximately
$265,000, $803,000 and $337,000 (unaudited) to pay principal and interest due on
this debt for the years ended December 31, 1994 and December 31, 1995 and for
the nine months ended September 30, 1996, respectively. Due to Falcon's
affiliation with Eilert-Olsen and the option to purchase Eilert-Olsen at a
nominal purchase price, the financial statements of Eilert-Olsen from inception
have been consolidated with the financial statements of Falcon and, accordingly,
the accounts and transactions between Falcon and Eilert-Olsen have been
eliminated in consolidation.
 
     In June 1995, Falcon sold a stacked jackup rig resulting in a gain of
approximately $751,000.
 
     In July 1995, Falcon entered into an agreement with the Rowan Companies,
Inc. and Rowan International, Inc. (collectively, "Rowan"), providing for
Falcon's purchase of three posted barge drilling rigs for an aggregate purchase
price of $12.2 million. Falcon acquired one of these rigs in October 1995 and
the remaining two rigs in November 1995. In July 1995, Falcon also purchased
four barge drilling rigs and a barge hull for a purchase price of $9.8 million.
Falcon sold two of these barge drilling rigs to a third party for a purchase
price of $4 million for which Falcon received credits toward the future purchase
of drillpipe. Unused credits of $2.6 million are included in other assets at
December 31, 1995.
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>   51
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     In September 1995, Falcon purchased i) a barge drilling rig for a purchase
price of $1,275,000, consisting of cash of $700,000 and 63,889 shares of
Falcon's Common Stock and ii) five offshore drilling rigs for $37.8 million and
related equipment for $400,000 from Sonat Offshore Drilling, Inc.
 
     In November 1995, Falcon purchased the semi-submersible rig Pacesetter III
for a purchase price of $2 million.
 
     In January 1996, Falcon purchased the barge drilling rig Gus Androes for a
purchase price of $6 million.
 
     In March 1996, Falcon purchased the submersible rig Real Explorer (renamed
FALRIG 78) for a purchase price of $8 million.
 
     In March 1996, Falcon entered into a contract to purchase the D.K.
McIntosh, a 250 foot water depth, mat-supported, slot-type jackup drilling rig.
In April 1996, Falcon completed the purchase of the D.K. McIntosh for a purchase
price of $8.5 million (unaudited). This rig incurred structural damage while
being transported to offshore West Africa and was partially repaired for
approximately $4.0 million (unaudited). Management estimates additional repair
costs of $2.0 million will be incurred to finalize repairs to the rig once it
completes its current service commitments (unaudited). Management believes that
the total refurbishment costs will be reimbursed by Falcon's insurance provider
(unaudited).
 
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Interim Financial Information
 
     The interim consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 1996, and
for the nine months ended September 30, 1995 and 1996, are unaudited, and
certain information and footnote disclosures, normally included in financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
have been omitted. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting
only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to fairly present the financial
position, results of operations and cash flows with respect to the consolidated
interim financial statements, have been included. The results of operations for
the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire
fiscal year.
 
  Use of Estimates
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted account principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
  Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
     For purposes of reporting cash flows, all liquid investments with
maturities at date of purchase of three months or less are considered cash
equivalents.
 
  Equipment and Property
 
     Equipment and property are stated at cost. Depreciation of drilling rigs,
vessels and equipment is provided on the straight-line method over their
remaining estimated useful lives from the date the rigs are acquired by Falcon,
including periods when the rigs are in a nonoperating status. Falcon anticipates
being required to refurbish significantly and modify some of its rigs in order
to operate in international and domestic drilling markets. At December 31, 1995,
drilling rigs and other related equipment with a carrying value of $19,947,000
were held in a nonoperating status pending modification and decisions regarding
their deployment. Such assets are being depreciated, and management believes
their market value exceeds their net book value.
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>   52
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     Routine maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred;
significant betterments are capitalized. Interest capitalized in connection with
significant betterments totaled zero, $647,000, and $405,000 in 1993, 1994, and
1995, respectively. Falcon incurred $5,704,183, $14,716,905 and $19,052,904 in
repair and maintenance expense in 1993, 1994, and 1995, respectively. The costs
of assets sold, retired or otherwise disposed of are removed from the accounts
at the time of disposition, and any resulting gains or losses are reflected in
the period's results of operations. Drilling rigs are being depreciated over an
estimated useful life of 15 years. Vessels and other equipment are depreciated
over estimated lives of three to five years.
 
  Deferred Costs
 
     Falcon has incurred costs and paid fees in connection with Falcon's various
financing arrangements, primarily the Senior Notes and the Subordinated Notes
(Note 5). These costs, primarily legal fees, underwriters costs and loan
commitment fees, have been deferred and are included in other assets at December
31, 1995 and are being amortized into the results of operations over the term of
the related financing instruments (primarily seven years for the Senior Notes
and 10 years for the Subordinated Notes). Accumulated amortization of deferred
costs is $690,000 and $2,795,000 at December 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
Also included in other assets as of December 31, 1994 and 1995 is approximately
$2.1 million and $3.1 million, respectively, in costs associated with the
mobilization of three barge rigs to Venezuela pursuant to an agreement with
Maraven (Note 3). Falcon is amortizing these costs over the five year term of
the agreement which began in January 1995.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     Falcon recognizes revenue from operations on the basis of the number of
days worked at the contractual day rate. Management fees which arise principally
from services provided to affiliated entities are recognized as earned. Falcon
earned management fees of $2,987,000 and $92,000 for the years ended December
31, 1993 and 1994, respectively.
 
  Net Income Per Common Share
 
     Net income per share of common stock has been computed on the basis of the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and,
where dilutive, the effect of common stock contingently issuable, which arises
primarily from the exercise of stock options and warrants and the conversion of
certain subordinated notes and convertible preferred stock. The weighted average
number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding during the
years ended December 31, 1993, 1994, and 1995 are 21,898,800, 26,879,719, and
29,593,096 respectively. The weighted average number of common shares and common
share equivalents during the nine months ended September 30, 1995 and 1996 are
28,242,875 and 35,991,120, respectively (unaudited). Accrued dividends on the
Series B redeemable preferred stock as well as the accretion of the difference
between the value of the Series B redeemable preferred stock at the date of
issue and the redemption value have been deducted from net income for purposes
of calculating net income applicable to common stock. Fully diluted earnings per
share are considered to be equal to primary earnings per share in all periods
presented because the effects of potentially dilutive securities that are not
common stock equivalents were either antidilutive or immaterial.
 
  Foreign Currency Translation
 
     Falcon accounts for foreign currency translations in accordance with
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 52 "Foreign Currency
Translation." The U.S. dollar is the functional currency for Falcon's foreign
operations. Foreign currency exchange gains and losses are included in other
income as incurred. Net foreign currency exchange gains amounted to $1.0 million
in 1995. There were no significant foreign currency exchange gains or losses in
1994 or 1993.
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>   53
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  Reclassification
 
     Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current
year presentation.
 
  New Accounting Standards
 
     In March 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 121, Accounting for the
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of.
This statement is effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 1995. In the opinion of management, implementation of this
statement will not have a material effect on Falcon's financial position or
results of operations.
 
     The FASB also issued SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock Based
Compensation", effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1995.
This statement allows companies to choose to adopt the statement's new rules for
accounting for employee stock-based compensation plans. For those companies who
choose not to adopt the new rules, the statement requires disclosures as to what
earnings and earnings per share would be if the new rules were adopted.
Management intends to adopt the disclosure requirements of this statement in
1996.
 
2. INVESTMENT IN FOREIGN JOINT VENTURE:
 
     In 1991, Falcon and an unrelated entity created a joint venture by forming
two foreign corporations (the Venezuelan joint venture). Falcon agreed to
transfer two of its barge rigs and certain related equipment into the foreign
corporations in exchange for $3 million in cash, two $1.5 million
noninterest-bearing notes and stock representing a 37.5% interest in the entity
owning and operating the rigs. Falcon used the cash received to repay $3 million
of the debt outstanding on the rigs and equipment. The Venezuelan joint venture
borrowed $14.5 million from a foreign bank which was utilized to refurbish the
barge rigs. This bank loan is secured by the barge rigs. Falcon has provided a
standby guarantee for approximately $3.1 million of the Venezuelan joint
venture's original bank debt incurred to refurbish the two barge rigs. This
guarantee proportionately reduces as the venture's debt is repaid. Repayment of
the venture's outstanding debt is contingent upon the venture realizing positive
cash flow from its contracts with a subsidiary of the Venezuelan state-owned oil
company. Falcon's $3 million gain represented by the notes received on the
transfer of equipment has been deferred by Falcon and netted against Falcon's
investment in the foreign corporations in the accompanying consolidated balance
sheet. Falcon accounts for its interests in the Venezuelan joint venture under
the cost method as it does not exercise significant influence over the venture.
As of December 31, 1994, Falcon had received cash distributions of approximately
$279,000 which Falcon recorded as a reduction of the investment in the joint
venture. During the year ended December 31, 1995, Falcon had received additional
cash distributions of approximately $1.5 million of which approximately $600,000
were recorded by Falcon to reduce the investment in the joint venture to zero
and $965,000 are included in revenues in the consolidated statement of
operations for the year ended December 31, 1995. Falcon received additional cash
distributions of approximately $1,195,000 during 1996 which are included in
revenues in the consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 (unaudited).
 
3. SEGMENT, CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISKS AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS:
 
     Falcon operates in one principal business segment, diversified contract
drilling and workover services. Operations are conducted in the U.S. Gulf of
Mexico and related coastal areas and in foreign locations. One of Falcon's barge
rigs operated in Tunisia from 1991 through February 1994.
 
     Since late 1994, Falcon has operated two barge drilling rigs and a workover
barge rig in Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela under an agreement with Maraven, S.A.
(Maraven). Refurbishment costs of approximately
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>   54
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
$33 million, including $647,000 in capitalized interest, were incurred in
connection with the deployment of these rigs to Venezuela.
 
     In July 1994, Falcon completed the refurbishment and modifications of a
barge drilling rig for general service in international markets at an
approximate cost of $6 million. This rig operated under contract to an affiliate
of British Petroleum in the Orinoco region of Venezuela until mid-1996 when it
returned to the U.S. Gulf Coast.
 
     In November 1995, Falcon completed a refurbishment project at a cost of
approximately $5.9 million on Rig 203 and mobilized this rig to Venezuela to
begin service under a well-to-well contract.
 
     Revenues, operating income and identifiable assets of the United States,
Tunisian and Venezuelan operations are as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           1993         1994         1995
                                                         --------     --------     --------
    <S>                                                  <C>          <C>          <C>
    Revenues --
      United States....................................  $ 52,326     $131,280     $146,182
      Tunisia..........................................     6,527        2,208           --
      Venezuela........................................        --        4,923       31,323
                                                         --------     --------     --------
              Total....................................  $ 58,853     $138,411     $177,505
                                                         ========     ========     ========
    Operating income (loss) --
      United States....................................  $  6,133     $ 20,643     $ 16,318
      Tunisia..........................................     1,071         (522)          --
      Venezuela........................................        --        1,794        9,797
                                                         --------     --------     --------
              Total....................................  $  7,204     $ 21,915     $ 26,115
                                                         ========     ========     ========
    Identifiable assets --
      United States....................................  $108,037     $175,267     $263,845
      Tunisia..........................................     1,957           --           --
      Venezuela........................................        --       48,879       77,178
                                                         --------     --------     --------
              Total....................................  $109,994     $224,146     $341,023
                                                         ========     ========     ========
</TABLE>
 
     The market for Falcon's service is the oil and gas industry, and Falcon's
customers consist primarily of major oil and gas companies (including
government-owned companies) and turnkey operators. Falcon's credit risks
primarily consist of accounts receivable from such customers. Management
performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and provides allowances for
credit losses when necessary.
 
     Major customers are those that individually account for more than 10% of
Falcon's total nonaffiliate operating revenues. British Gas accounted for 11% of
nonaffiliate operating revenues for the year ended December 31, 1993. Applied
Drilling Technology, Inc. accounted for 11% of nonaffiliate operating revenues
for the year ended December 31, 1994. Maraven, S.A. accounted for 11% of
nonaffiliate operating revenues for the year ended December 31, 1995.
 
     During 1996, the Company began operating two dynamically positioned
drillships, Peregrine I and II, under contracts with Petrobras in Brazil and a
third drillship, the Peregrine III, off the coast of Australia.
 
4. INCOME TAXES:
 
     Falcon follows Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 (SFAS
No. 109), "Accounting for Income Taxes." Under SFAS No. 109, the tax provision
is determined based upon the liability method in which deferred tax assets and
liabilities are recognized based on differences between the financial statement
and tax basis of assets using enacted tax rates.
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>   55
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     SFAS No. 109 provides in part that a deferred tax asset shall be evaluated
for realization based on a more likely than not criteria using a valuation
allowance. No valuation allowance was deemed necessary at December 31, 1994 and
1995.
 
     The components of the net deferred tax liability are as follows (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          DECEMBER 31,
                                                                       -------------------
                                                                        1994        1995
                                                                       -------     -------
    <S>                                                                <C>         <C>
    Deferred tax liabilities --
      Excess of book basis of assets over tax basis..................  $10,735     $25,118
      Other..........................................................       --         313
                                                                       -------     -------
                                                                        10,735      25,431
                                                                       -------     -------
    Deferred tax assets --
      Net operating loss carryforwards...............................    7,291      14,323
      Excess of book basis of accrued expenses over tax basis........       88         429
      Other..........................................................       41          --
                                                                       -------     -------
         Subtotal....................................................    7,420      14,752
                                                                       -------     -------
      Valuation allowance............................................       --          --
                                                                       -------     -------
      Net deferred tax assets........................................    7,420      14,752
                                                                       -------     -------
         Net deferred tax liability..................................  $ 3,315     $10,679
                                                                       =======     =======
</TABLE>
 
     The components of the income tax provision are as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        YEARS ENDED
                                                                        DECEMBER 31,
                                                                 --------------------------
                                                                 1993      1994       1995
                                                                 ----     ------     ------
    <S>                                                          <C>      <C>        <C>
    Federal --
      Current..................................................  $ 50     $   --     $   --
      Deferred.................................................   902      2,413      1,056
    State --
      Deferred.................................................    --         63        686
    Foreign --
      Current..................................................    --        756         --
      Deferred.................................................    --         --      1,739
                                                                 ----     ------     ------
                                                                 $952     $3,232     $3,481
                                                                 ====     ======     ======
</TABLE>
 
     Included in the deferred federal tax provisions are the following: excess
of tax depreciation expense over book depreciation expense, expenses accrued for
financial statement purposes which are not yet deductible for tax purposes, and
other benefits which have been reduced by the tax benefit of the U.S. net
operating loss carryforward created. The 1993 deferred provision was also
reduced by the reversal of a valuation allowance of $825,000 provided in 1992.
On December 31, 1993, Falcon acquired an indirect partnership interest in the
FALRIG Partnership and the tax effect of the excess of the net assets acquired
for financial statement purposes over the related tax basis of $770,000 was
recorded as a deferred tax liability. In May 1994, Falcon completed the
acquisition of the remaining partnership interest in the FALRIG Partnership and
the tax effect of the excess of the net assets acquired for tax purposes over
those for financial statement purposes of $12.1 million has been recorded as a
deferred tax asset. In January 1994, Falcon acquired the equity interest of the
FALRIG Corporation and the tax effect of the excess of the net assets acquired
for financial statement purposes over the related tax basis of $11.7 million has
been recorded as a deferred tax liability. In
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>   56
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
September 1994, Falcon acquired the Cliffs Rigs (Note 1) and the tax effect of
the excess of the net assets acquired for tax purposes over those for financial
statement purposes of $560,000 has been recorded as a deferred tax asset. In
August 1995, Falcon acquired the remaining 50% interest in Blake Workover and
certain crewboats and tugboats utilized in the business of Blake Workover (Note
1). The tax effect of the excess of net assets acquired for financial statement
purposes over the related tax basis of $3.9 million has been recorded as a
deferred tax liability as of December 31, 1995.
 
     A reconciliation of federal statutory and effective income tax rates for
each of the three years ended December 31, 1995, is shown below.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      ------------------------
                                                                      1993      1994     1995
                                                                      ----      ----     ----
    <S>                                                               <C>       <C>       <C>
    Statutory rate..................................................   34%       35%       35%
    State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit...........   --         1         6
    Alternative minimum tax rate....................................    1        --        --
    Utilization of NOL carryforward.................................  (15)       --        --
    Foreign income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit.........   --         6        --
                                                                                 --        --
                                                                      ---
    Effective rate..................................................   20%       42%       41%
                                                                      ===        ==        ==
</TABLE>
 
     As of December 31, 1994 and 1995, Falcon's net operating losses (NOLs) for
income tax purposes were $20,831,000 and $40,923,000, respectively (tax effect
$7,291,000 and $14,323,000, respectively). These tax NOLs expire from 2006
through 2010 if not utilized before such dates. A change in ownership of Falcon
under the Internal Revenue Code can cause a limitation in the ability of Falcon
to use existing NOLs in any one year. In the opinion of management, any
limitation caused by a change of ownership will not materially limit the
availability of NOLs in the aggregate.
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>   57
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
5. LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS:
 
     Falcon had the following debt outstanding as of December 31, 1994 and 1995
and at September 30, 1996 (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,       SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                              --------------------       1996
                                                                1994        1995      (UNAUDITED)
                                                              --------    --------    -----------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>         <C>
8 7/8% Series B Senior Notes, due 2003......................        --          --     $ 120,000
9 3/4% Series B Senior Notes, due 2001......................  $110,000    $110,000       110,000
Floating Rate Senior Notes, bearing interest at LIBOR plus
  3.5%, redeemable in varying amounts beginning in 1998.....    10,000      10,000        10,000
12 1/2% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes, due 2005........        --      50,000        50,000
Borrowings pursuant to a credit agreement with two banks,
  bearing interest at LIBOR plus 2.5% or 1% over the higher
  of the prime rate or the federal funds rate plus .5%,
  secured by certain accounts receivable....................     5,000       5,000        20,000
Secured promissory note payable to Grace Offshore Company,
  bearing interest at 8.7%, secured by certain FALRIG
  Partnership jackup rigs, principal payments of $1,667 due
  March 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998.............................     5,000       5,000         3,333
Note payable to a bank, noninterest-bearing through August
  16, 1994 and at LIBOR plus 1.5% through maturity at
  December 31, 1999.........................................     1,969       1,969         1,074
Notes payable by affiliates, secured by certain rigs,
  bearing interest at 7.0%, due in varying amounts
  commencing July 1994 with final payment due June 30,
  1999......................................................     1,700       1,392         1,122
Promissory note to Blake Drilling and Workover Co., Inc.,
  bearing interest at 5%, secured by certain rigs, principal
  due in varying amounts commencing January 1995 with final
  payment made August 15, 1995..............................     3,000          --            --
Construction payables and accrued liabilities at December
  31, 1994, which were refinanced with $6 million in
  additional long-term borrowings in 1995 pursuant to credit
  agreements with two banks.................................     6,000          --            --
Note payable to a former owner of the FALRIG Partnership,
  noninterest-bearing, due March 31, 1995...................     3,167          --            --
Obligations payable to the former owners of the FALRIG
  Partnership, noninterest-bearing, paid March 31, 1995.....     2,489          --            --
Obligations payable to the former owners of the FALRIG
  Corporation, noninterest-bearing, paid March 31, 1995.....     3,075          --            --
Note payable to Cliffs, bearing interest at 7.75%, due
  December 31, 1995 paid in March, 1995.....................     1,000          --            --
Obligation payable to the Chatterjee Interests, bearing
  interest at 10%, due March 31, 1995.......................     6,000          --            --
                                                              --------    --------     ---------
                                                               158,400     183,361       315,529
  Less -- Amounts due within one year.......................   (17,021)     (3,999)       (3,124)
                                                              --------    --------     ---------
                                                              $141,379    $179,362     $ 312,405
                                                              ========    ========     =========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>   58
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     On January 24, 1994, Falcon completed an offering of $110 million, 9 3/4%
Series A Senior Notes due 2001. These Series A Senior Notes were exchanged
during 1994 for similar 9 3/4% Series B Senior Notes in an offering registered
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Following the registration and
exchange, only the 9 3/4% Series B Senior Notes (the Fixed Rate Notes) remain
outstanding. The Fixed Rate Notes mature on January 15, 2001, and bear interest
at a rate of 9.75%, payable semiannually on January 15 and July 15. Falcon has
the option to redeem up to 30% of the Fixed Rate Notes through January 15, 1997,
at a redemption price of 109% of the principal amount thereof with the proceeds
of the sale and issuance of capital stock of Falcon provided that at least $50
million in aggregate principal of the Fixed Rate Notes remains outstanding
following redemption. Falcon used a portion of the proceeds to finance a series
of previously planned transactions, including the prepayment of certain
outstanding debts as indicated below and the consummation of certain
acquisitions as discussed in Note 1.
 
     On February 23, 1994, Falcon issued $10 million of Floating Rate Notes
which bear interest at LIBOR plus 3.5% and are redeemable at 103.5% of the
principal amount outstanding plus unpaid accrued interest at any time following
18 months after issuance. The principal amounts of the Floating Rate Notes are
due in payments of $1,000,000, $2,000,000 and $2,000,000 on the fourth, fifth
and sixth years following issuance, respectively, with the balance due January
24, 2001.
 
     The Fixed Rate Notes and Floating Rate Notes are collectively referred to
as the Senior Notes. The Senior Notes are guaranteed by certain of Falcon's
subsidiaries (see Note 11).
 
     On September 12, 1994, Falcon established a revolving credit facility with
two banks providing for borrowings of up to $25.0 million subject to adequate
levels of eligible accounts receivable, which amounts borrowed are secured by
Falcon's accounts receivable. Falcon had borrowings outstanding under this
credit facility of $5.0 million at December 31, 1994 and 1995 and $20.0 million
at September 30, 1996 (unaudited). Approximately $18.8 million and $5 million
(unaudited) of additional borrowings were available under this facility at
December 31, 1995 and September 30, 1996, respectively. This facility, as
amended, provides that amounts borrowed will bear interest at floating rates
based on LIBOR plus 2 1/2% or 1% over the greater of the prime rate or the
federal funds rate plus  1/2%. The facility requires Falcon to maintain a
minimum current ratio, tangible net worth, as defined, fixed charge coverage
ratio, interest coverage ratio and a maximum ratio of debt to equity and a
maximum amount of capital expenditures, as defined. The facility also provides
for payments of commitment fees on the unused portion of the facility at a rate
of one-half of one % per year.
 
     The Company has received a commitment from its commercial bank lenders to
increase its bank credit facilities from a maximum of $25 million to $65
million. The new facilities would consist of (i) a $25 million revolving loan
facility secured by accounts receivable, maturing in November 1999, and (ii) a
$40 million revolving loan facility secured by certain drilling rigs and
receivables, maturing in November 1998 (unaudited).
 
     During January 1995, Falcon drew down an additional $6 million pursuant to
the terms of this credit facility and paid certain accounts payable which were
outstanding at December 31, 1994, and had been incurred for the refurbishment of
three rigs deployed to Venezuela (Note 3). The costs of these refurbishments
were capitalized as rigs and equipment at December 31, 1994. The payment of this
$6 million of accounts payables did not require the use of working capital and,
accordingly, Falcon's consolidated financial statements at December 31, 1994,
reflect the reclassification of $6 million from accounts payable and accrued
liabilities to long-term debt.
 
     In March 1995, Falcon issued $50 million of Series A Senior Subordinated
Notes due 2005, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $48 million to Falcon
after deducting offering-related expenses of approximately $2 million. These
Series A Senior Subordinated Notes were exchanged in 1995 for similar Series B
Senior Subordinated Notes (the Subordinated Notes) in an offering registered
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Subordinated Notes mature on
March 15, 2005, and bear interest at a rate of 12.5%, payable semiannually on
March 15 and September 15. Falcon has the option to redeem up to 30% of the
Subordinated Notes through March 15, 1998, at a redemption price of 111.5
percent of the principal
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>   59
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
amount of such notes with the proceeds of a public offering of Falcon's capital
stock, provided that at least $35 million in aggregate principal of the
Subordinated Notes remains outstanding immediately after giving effect to such
redemption. Beginning March 15, 2000, Falcon may redeem the Subordinated Notes
at annually declining redemption prices beginning at 104.688 percent of the
principal amount of such notes. Upon change in control of Falcon, as defined in
the Indenture for such Subordinated Notes, Falcon will be required to make an
offer to purchase the Subordinated Notes at 101 percent of the principal amount
thereof. The Subordinated Notes are senior unsecured obligations of Falcon
subordinated in right of payment to all other existing or future senior
indebtedness of Falcon.
 
     In October 1995, Falcon arranged to borrow $20 million under a short term
debt facility from one of the banks that provides Falcon's revolving credit
facility. Falcon did not borrow funds under the facility due to the completion
of Falcon's public offering of common stock in November 1995. (Note 6). Included
in interest expense for the quarter ended December 31, 1995 is $259,000 in fees
paid to obtain the short term debt facility.
 
     In February 1996, pursuant to another agreement, Falcon borrowed $20
million from one of the banks that provides Falcon's revolving credit facility.
The amounts borrowed bore interest at prime plus one % and were payable on the
earlier of December 31, 1996 or upon completion of a capital market transaction,
as defined. In February 1996, Falcon paid fees of $300,000 in connection with
obtaining this loan. In March 1996, Falcon repaid the $20 million indebtedness
with proceeds from the issuance of the 8 7/8% Notes due 2003 described below.
 
     In March 1996, Falcon completed the offering and sale of $120 million
principal amount of 8 7/8% Series A Senior Notes due 2003 (the 8 7/8% Notes),
resulting in net proceeds of approximately $116 million to Falcon after
deducting offering-related expenses. The 8 7/8% Notes mature on March 15, 2003,
and bear interest at a rate of 8 7/8%, payable semiannually on March 15 and
September 15 of each year beginning September 15, 1996. The 8 7/8% Notes are
unsecured obligations of Falcon, ranking pari passu in right of payment with all
other senior indebtedness of Falcon, and senior in right of payment to all
subordinated indebtedness of Falcon. The 8 7/8% Notes are not guaranteed by any
of Falcon's subsidiaries, and thus are structurally subordinated to the Senior
Notes and other indebtedness of the subsidiaries. Further, they are effectively
subordinated to any secured indebtedness of Falcon to the extent of the
collateral securing such secured indebtedness. The 8 7/8% Notes were issued
pursuant to an indenture which provides that (i) Falcon has the option to redeem
the 8 7/8% Notes in whole or in part on or after March 15, 2000, at a redemption
price of 104.4375% of principal amount during the twelve month period commencing
March 15, 2000, 102.2188% of principal amount during the twelve month period
commencing March 15, 2001 and 100% of principal amount after March 15, 2002,
(ii) upon change in control of Falcon, as defined, Falcon will be required to
make an offer to purchase the 8 7/8% Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of
the principal amount thereof.
 
     Included in long-term debt and other obligations as of December 31, 1994
are amounts due the former owners of the FALRIG Partnership and the FALRIG
Corporation. These amounts include: a noninterest-bearing note of $3,167,000 and
a contingent payment of $2,489,000 (both payable to a former owner of the FALRIG
Partnership), which were discounted at 9.75% through their original maturity
date in January 1995, and a contingent payment of approximately $3,075,000
(payable to the former owners of the FALRIG Corporation), which was discounted
at 9.75% for the period through its original maturity date in January 1995, and
is included in debt and other obligations due within one year. Falcon repaid
this debt in the first quarter of 1995.
 
     Falcon has assumed a nonrecourse secured note originally payable by
Turnstone to a bank in the amount of $1.9 million, secured by Rig 203. Such note
bears interest at LIBOR (5.53% at December 31, 1995) through August 16, 1998, at
which time the interest rate increases to LIBOR plus 1.5%. Note payments equal
to 50% of the cash flow, as defined, derived from Rig 203 are payable
concurrently until all of the borrower's capital costs in connection with Rig
203 have been recovered and, after such costs are recovered, note payments equal
to 80% of such cash flow are payable, with any unpaid balance due on December
31, 1999. Rig
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>   60
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
203 has been deployed to Venezuela (Note 3), and based on Falcon's estimates of
its future revenues, the principal amount of this note has been included under
current maturities of long-term debt.
 
     Falcon had a credit agreement with a financial institution through January
24, 1994 (the Credit Agreement), pursuant to which Falcon could borrow up to
$17.5 million. Amounts borrowed pursuant to the Credit Agreement primarily bore
interest at a rate equal to the commercial paper rate as defined in the Credit
Agreement plus 4.5% which resulted in an interest rate of 7.83% at December 31,
1993. In January 1994, Falcon repaid the outstanding $16.5 million balance of
the Credit Agreement, together with $496,000 of prepayment premiums, out of a
portion of the proceeds of the Senior Notes.
 
     The annual maturities of the debt outstanding at December 31, 1995 are
$3,999,000 in 1996, $7,057,000 in 1997, $3,085,000 in 1998, $2,220,000 in 1999,
$2,000,000 in 2000, and $165,000,000 thereafter.
 
     Falcon estimates the fair value of its debt obligations to be $190,033,000
compared to a historical value of $183,361,000, both as of December 31, 1995.
 
6. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     In 1994, the board of directors of Falcon approved (a) an amendment of
Falcon's certificate of incorporation increasing the authorized shares of
Falcon's common stock to 28,500,000 shares and (b) a stock split effected in the
form of a stock dividend of 299 shares of common stock for each outstanding
share of common stock of Falcon. Accordingly, share amounts presented for all
periods have been restated to reflect the stock dividend.
 
     In June 1995, the board of directors of Falcon approved an amendment of
Falcon's certificate of incorporation (a) increasing the authorized shares of
Falcon's common stock to 100,000,000 shares and (b) increasing the authorized
shares of Falcon's preferred stock to 526,489 shares.
 
     On July 28, 1995, Falcon, a participating stockholder and a group of
underwriters entered into an agreement resulting in the initial public sale by
Falcon of 4,250,000 shares of common stock and the sale of 750,000 shares of
common stock by the participating shareholder. The initial public offering
closed on August 2, 1995 and resulted in net proceeds to Falcon of $34.4 million
after deducting offering-related expenses of $3.9 million, including
approximately $302,000 of related expenses incurred in 1994 and included in
other assets as of December 31, 1994.
 
     On November 15, 1995, Falcon, participating stockholders and a group of
underwriters entered into an agreement resulting in the public sale of 3,175,000
shares of common stock by Falcon and the sale of 2,000,000 shares of common
stock by selling shareholders. The public offering closed on November 21, 1995
and resulted in net proceeds to Falcon of $30.9 million after deducting
offering-related expenses of approximately $2.4 million.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     Falcon has 526,489 shares of preferred stock, no par value, authorized. The
board of directors has the authority to issue the unissued shares of preferred
stock and to establish the designation and terms thereof. In January 1993,
Falcon issued to the S-C Interests 25,989 shares of Series A convertible
preferred stock, 1,000 shares of Series B redeemable preferred stock, and a
shadow warrant to purchase up to 1,847,100 shares of common stock at an exercise
price of $.01 per share in full satisfaction of a $15 million advance and for
$6,993,843 in cash. Offering expenses of $314,000 and $672,000 related to the
Series A convertible preferred stock and Series B redeemable preferred stock,
respectively, were deducted from the proceeds of the issuance of the preferred
stock. Falcon had an agreement with an affiliate of the Hamilton Group to pay an
investment services fee of three % of capital placed by the affiliate; $660,000
was paid in connection with the preferred stock sale and treated as expenses of
the offering.
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>   61
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     The Series A convertible preferred stock (a) had the same dividend and
voting rights as the common stock of Falcon, on an as-converted basis, (b) was
convertible into 300 shares of common stock of Falcon for each share of Series A
convertible preferred stock, and (c) was automatically convertible into common
stock upon any closing before January 28, 1997 of an underwritten initial public
offering of equity securities meeting certain specifications. The Series A
convertible preferred stock was converted into 7,796,700 shares of Falcon's
common stock in connection with Falcon's initial public offering on August 2,
1995.
 
     The Series B redeemable preferred stock (a) was entitled to an annual cash
dividend of $700 per share from January 29, 1993, through December 31, 1995,
which was payable in one installment on December 31, 1995, (b) had a liquidation
preference equal to $7,000 per share plus all unpaid accrued dividends, (c) was
redeemable at the option of Falcon at any time for a redemption price of $7,000
per share plus all accrued and unpaid dividends and, if redeemed after December
31, 1995, the redemption price was to be increased by an amount equal to 2.5%
per quarter on the balance of any unpaid redemption price, (d) was redeemable at
the option of the holder at any time on or after December 31, 1995, at a
redemption price of $7,000 per share plus any accrued unpaid dividends, plus an
amount equal to 2.5% of any unpaid redemption price per quarter beginning
December 31, 1995, and (e) was secured by a junior mortgage on a portion of
Falcon's barge rig fleet. The difference between the redemption value of $7,000
and the value of the Series B redeemable preferred stock at the date of issue
was accreted by a ratable charge to retained earnings during the redemption
period until redeemed.
 
     Falcon elected to redeem 500 shares of its Series B redeemable preferred
stock in January 1994 for $3.9 million, including accrued dividends of
approximately $351,000 as of the redemption date. Upon the redemption of the 500
shares of Series B redeemable preferred stock, the junior mortgage on a portion
of the barge rig fleet was released by the holder of the remaining 500 shares of
Falcon's Series B redeemable preferred stock. On December 27, 1995, Falcon
redeemed the remaining 500 outstanding shares of Series B redeemable preferred
stock for $4,520,000.
 
WARRANTS
 
     In connection with the sale of various of Falcon's subordinated notes in
August 1992 (all of which had been repaid by December 1994), Falcon issued (a)
2,800 Class A warrants, each of which represented the right to purchase 300
shares of Falcon's common stock for $3.33 per share, and (b) 2,600 Class B
warrants, each of which represented the right to purchase 600 shares of Falcon's
common stock at an exercise price of $3.33 per share. The exercise price of the
Class A and B warrants was adjusted to $2.42 per share subsequent to their
issuance. Two hundred Class A warrants were exercised on July 31, 1993, while
1,200 Class A warrants expired on such date. During 1995, 1,400 Class A
warrants, and 2,600 Class B warrants, were exercised which resulted in the
issuance of 1,980,000 shares of Falcon's common stock for cash of approximately
$4,800,000. At December 31, 1995 no Class A or Class B warrants were
outstanding.
 
     In connection with the sale of preferred stock to the S-C Interests in
January 1993, Falcon issued a shadow warrant exercisable for up to an aggregate
of 1,847,100 shares of Falcon's common stock at a purchase price of $.01 per
share of common stock. Such warrant is exercisable only to the extent that
certain other warrants, options and convertible securities of Falcon are
exercised or converted. The aggregate number of shares for which the shadow
warrant was exercisable by the S-C Interests was reduced to 1,567,100 shares
upon the expiration of 1,200 of the Class A warrants and the exercise of 200
Class A warrants on July 31, 1993, as discussed above. On March 31, 1994,
various convertible subordinated debtholders exercised options to convert
$605,000 in convertible subordinated debt for 212,700 shares of common stock and
holders of bonus warrants (issued in connection with the prepayment of
convertible subordinated debt) exercised such warrants. In connection therewith,
150,900 shares of common stock were issued under the shadow warrant.
Additionally, rights to acquire 94,692 shares of common stock pursuant to the
shadow warrant expired during 1994, bringing the number of shares exercisable
under the shadow warrant to 1,321,508 as of December 31,
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>   62
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
1994. As a result of the exercise of the Class A and Class B warrants in 1995,
1,320,006 shares of common stock were issued pursuant to the shadow warrant. The
number of shares for which the shadow warrant was exercisable at December 31,
1995 was 1,508.
 
     Certain members of the Mullen Group hold warrants to purchase an aggregate
of 120,000 shares of common stock of Falcon at an exercise price of $3.33 per
share. During 1995, 60,000 warrants were exercised resulting in the issuance of
60,000 Shares of Common Stock for cash proceeds of $199,800. The number of
shares for which the Mullen Group options were exercisable at December 31, 1995
was 60,000. These options were exercised in the fourth quarter of 1996
(unaudited).
 
     In connection with the prepayment of certain convertible debt in January
1993, bonus warrants to acquire approximately 16,000 shares of common stock were
issued to an executive of Falcon, the owners of Taladro and a third party. Bonus
warrants to purchase approximately 13,800 shares of common stock were exercised
in March 1994 by the executive of Falcon and Taladro. The third party's bonus
warrants to purchase approximately 2,300 shares of common stock remain
outstanding at December 31, 1995 and expire on December 31, 1997 if not
previously exercised.
 
     In November 1994 Falcon signed a letter of intent to merge with Marine
Drilling Companies, Inc. (Marine), a publicly traded offshore drilling company.
Negotiations to conclude a definite agreement were conducted for a three-month
period but were terminated on February 15, 1995, due primarily to market
conditions in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico offshore market. Acquisition expenses
related to the Marine transaction of approximately $410,000 were included in
general and administrative expense in the fourth quarter of 1994.
 
STOCK OPTION PLANS
 
     Falcon adopted, effective January 1, 1992, a stock option plan (1992 Stock
Option Plan) pursuant to which an aggregate of 495,000 incentive stock options
or nonqualified stock options were granted to directors, officers and employees
of Falcon on November 10, 1992. The exercise price of these stock options range
from $3.33 to $3.70 per share, which was the estimated fair market value of the
stock at the date of grant. These options were immediately vested and expire on
November 10, 2002, with the exception of 107,400 options which vest in varying
increments over three years and expire on November 10, 1997. During 1995, 37,400
of these options were exercised, resulting in the receipt of approximately
$125,000 in proceeds by Falcon. During the nine months ending September 30,
1996, 175,600 of these options were exercised resulting in the receipt of
approximately $624,000 in proceeds by Falcon (unaudited).
 
     In 1994, the board of directors of Falcon authorized the grant of options
to purchase an aggregate of 285,000 shares to certain members of management of
Falcon (1994 Stock Option Plan). Such options entitle the option holder to
purchase one share of Falcon's common stock, vest in one-third increments over
three years, expire in January 2004, and have an exercise price of $10 per
share. During the nine months ended September 30, 1996, 42,000 of these options
were exercised, resulting in the receipt of approximately $420,000 in proceeds
by Falcon (unaudited.)
 
     On February 16, 1995, the board of directors adopted a third stock option
plan covering up to 500,000 shares of common stock (the 1995 Stock Option Plan),
and granted options under the plan to purchase an aggregate of 125,000 shares to
directors, officers and employees of Falcon. These options vest in one-third
increments over a three-year period beginning on the date of grant, expire in
February 2005 and have an exercise price of $10 per share. During the nine
months ended September 30, 1996, an additional 215,000 options were granted
under the plan to officers of Falcon at exercise prices ranging from $12.13 to
$19.44. One-third of these options vested on the date of the grant and one-third
vest on each of the next two anniversaries of the date of the grant. For the
nine months ending September 30, 1996, 3,333 of these options were exercised
resulting in the issuance of 3,333 shares of Falcon's common stock and the
receipt of approximately $33,330 in proceeds received by Falcon (unaudited).
 
                                      F-24
<PAGE>   63
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT
 
     In January 1993, four stockholder groups of Falcon (consisting of (a) the
Webster Group, a group of officers, directors and shareholders of Falcon, (b)
the Hamilton Group, (c) the Stafilopatis Group, and (d) the S-C Interests)
entered into an amended stockholders' agreement (the Amended Stockholders'
Agreement), which, among other things, prescribed the composition of the board
of directors with representation for each group. It also prohibited the S-C
Interests from engaging in proxy solicitations and like activities or combining
with or acting in concert with other shareholders with respect to the voting of
shares of Falcon (the Standstill Provisions). The Standstill Provisions expire
upon the first anniversary of a sale by Falcon in a public offering of at least
25% of its outstanding equity securities. All other provisions of the Amended
Stockholders' Agreement expired upon completion of Falcon's initial public
offering on August 2, 1995.
 
7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
 
     Falcon is currently involved in various lawsuits and other contingencies
arising out of operations in the normal course of business. In the opinion of
management, uninsured losses, if any, in excess of those accrued will not have a
material adverse effect on Falcon's consolidated financial position or results
of operations.
 
SELF INSURANCE
 
     Falcon is self-insured for the deductible portion of its insurance
coverage. In the opinion of management, adequate accruals have been made based
on known and estimated exposures up to the deductible portion of Falcon's
insurance coverages. Management believes that future claims and liabilities in
excess of the amounts accrued are fully insured.
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
     Falcon has multiyear employment agreements with several of its officers.
The employment agreements with Falcon's officers provide for annual salaries and
discretionary bonuses to be determined by the board of directors. The board of
directors of Falcon approved discretionary cash bonuses totaling $2.25 million
and $250,000 in 1994 and 1995, respectively, to an executive in reward for his
extraordinary contribution to the growth of Falcon.
 
401(K) PLAN
 
     On October 1, 1993 Falcon adopted a contributory 401(k) savings plan for
its domestic employees. The plan provides that employees may contribute up to
16% of pretax earnings up to designated amounts and Falcon may elect to match
such contributions at its discretion. Falcon did not incur expenses related to
matching contributions in 1993 and incurred $461,000 and $522,000 in such
expenses in 1994 and 1995, respectively. On January 1, 1994, Falcon adopted an
employee-funded medical, life and disability insurance plan.
 
OPERATING LEASES
 
     Falcon leases certain facilities and equipment under operating leases.
Falcon also enters into charters with drilling rig and vessel owners which
frequently have variable payment terms depending on whether the leased rig or
vessel is operating. Total lease expense on drilling rigs and vessels was
$2,662,370, $6,363,860 and $6,134,465 for the years ended December 31, 1993,
1994 and 1995, respectively. Falcon incurred total rental expenses exclusive of
leased rigs and vessels of $795,555, $2,078,856 and $2,201,948 during the years
ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively. Aggregate minimum future
annual rental commitments
 
                                      F-25
<PAGE>   64
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
under unaffiliated noncancelable operating leases with lease terms in excess of
one year as of December 31, 1995, are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
        <S>                                                                 <C>
        1996..............................................................  $275,000
        1997..............................................................   270,000
        1998..............................................................   269,000
        1999..............................................................   197,000
        2000..............................................................    23,000
</TABLE>
 
COMMITMENTS RELATING TO CERTAIN RIGS
 
     Falcon has entered into an agreement to purchase three barge drilling rigs
for an approximate cost of $5.25 million and estimated mobilization costs of
$700,000. At December 31, 1995, Falcon had made deposits of approximately
$500,000 which have been included in other assets. The seller of three of these
rigs is encountering logistical problems in connection with their delivery to
Falcon. The Company has recently commenced a legal action to enforce its rights
under that contract. Management of Falcon believes the deposit on these rigs is
refundable should the delivery of these rigs not be accomplished.
 
     The refurbishment and upgrade of Falcon's dynamically positioned drillship,
the Peregrine I, was completed in September of 1996. This drillship began
operating in November 1996 (unaudited). Falcon incurred refurbishment and
upgrade costs and the purchase of additional riser, BOP equipment and other
fleet spares and inventory of approximately $6.5 million during 1995 and
approximately $60 million (unaudited) during the nine months ended September 30,
1996, which costs are included as drilling rigs and equipment in the
accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
 
     In May 1995, Falcon completed the purchase of the Pelerin (a dynamically
positioned drillship) for approximately $33 million and renamed the drillship
the Peregrine III (unaudited). Management has committed to spend an additional
$7 million on the Peregrine III for upgrades in connection with a contract
scheduled for early 1997 (unaudited). Prior to the purchase of the drillship,
the Peregrine III was managed on behalf of its owner by Foramer S.A. As one of
the conditions of purchase, Falcon entered into a management agreement with
Foramer pursuant to which Foramer was to manage the vessel until December 31,
1996 (unaudited). During October 1996, the management agreement with Foramer was
terminated for a fee of $250,000 and Falcon assumed responsibility for managing
the vessel (unaudited).
 
     In June 1996, Falcon entered into a contract to purchase a substantially
completed drillship hull for approximately $8.0 million (unaudited). Falcon
estimates that it will cost approximately $120 million to complete the
construction necessary for this hull to become an operational drillship
(unaudited). Management is currently investigating alternatives for financing
this construction and Falcon currently has no construction obligations relative
to the drillship hull (unaudited). Management does not intend to undertake
completion of the drillship hull until Falcon has obtained a long-term
commitment for the use of the completed drillship and made arrangements for
financings (unaudited).
 
     In October 1996, the Company entered into a letter of intent to purchase
two conventionally-moored drillships, the Deepsea Ice and Deepsea Duchess, at a
cost of approximately $40 million (unaudited). The Company is negotiating to
have a third party purchase the Deepsea Ice for $20 million (unaudited) and
lease it to the Company. The Deepsea Duchess purchase price is expected to be
funded by issuance to the seller of $15 million (unaudited) in market value of
common stock and $5 million (unaudited) in cash.
 
     During 1996, the Company entered into several short-term leasing
arrangements with various parties for the use of one jackup rig, one barge
drilling rig, and two workover rigs. Future minimum lease payments relating to
these lease agreements are $2.1 million for the fourth quarter of 1996, $6.0
million in 1997, $6.0 million in 1998, $4.4 million in 1999 and $758,000 in 2000
(unaudited).
 
                                      F-26
<PAGE>   65
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     Pursuant to certain of Falcon's long term drilling contracts, the operator
may purchase three of Falcon's barge drilling rigs for specified prices which
decrease each year through 1999. Management of Falcon estimates that the option
price will be less than the carrying value for one of these rigs by
approximately $880,000 in 1998, and that the aggregate option price for the
three rigs will be below the aggregate carrying value for such rigs by
approximately $1.2 million and $3.5 million in 1998 and 1999, respectively.
Management does not expect the purchase option to be exercised and will continue
to evaluate the net book value of these rigs for possible future impairment.
 
OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION JOINT VENTURE
 
     Falcon from time to time enters into arrangements whereby it contracts to
provide a rig and related services in connection with the acquisition of a
working interest in a well. Generally, these arrangements are entered into only
where Falcon believes a standard day rate contract, without any investment
obligations as a working interest, would not be available to Falcon.
 
     During 1994, a subsidiary of Falcon (Raptor) acquired an interest in a
joint venture engaged in the development of drilling prospects in the general
areas of Falcon's barge drilling operations and, in one instance, has
participated with several other companies in the funding of seismic activities
in south Louisiana. Falcon utilizes the full cost method of accounting for its
oil and gas activities. Included in other assets at December 31, 1994 and 1995
and September 30, 1996 are $1.7 million, $2.8 million and $1.7 million
(unaudited), respectively, of Falcon's expenditures for its share of the funding
of the exploratory efforts of the joint venture. In June 1996, the joint venture
distributed these properties to Raptor and the other joint venturer, and Raptor
sold a portion of the distributed properties for $1.2 million cash and a
promissory note of approximately $700,000. The promissory note bears interest at
two percent over prime, and is due June 1, 1999, or earlier based upon revenues
generated by the properties. There is currently no production from the
properties sold. Falcon has no remaining funding commitments to these properties
as a result of the sale. During the year ended December 31, 1994, approximately
$873,000 was charged to operating expense relating to certain wells which were
discovered to be nonproducing wells. There were no charges to operating expense
from nonproducing wells during 1995.
 
     Future participation in the development of oil and gas prospects and
related activities will depend in large part upon the availability of cash flows
and cash balances in excess of the Company's needs to fund its obligations and
further growth in its basic contract drilling business, as well as upon future
determinations by the Company as to the attractiveness of such other activities.
 
PROPOSED EQUITY OFFERING
 
     In November 1996, Falcon initiated the process of filing a registration
statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the sale of 3,000,000
shares of common stock by Falcon and 4,000,000 shares of common stock by Selling
Shareholders.
 
LIQUIDITY
 
     Liquidity of Falcon should be considered in light of the significant
fluctuations in demand experienced by drilling contractors as rapid changes in
oil and gas producers' expectations and budgets occur. These fluctuations can
rapidly impact Falcon's liquidity as supply and demand factors directly affect
utilization and day rates, which are the primary determinants of cash flow from
Falcon's operations.
 
     Falcon believes that its available funds, together with cash generated from
operations and amounts that may be borrowed under the revolving credit agreement
will be sufficient to fund its capital expenditures, working capital and debt
service requirements for the remainder of 1996. Future cash flows are subject to
a number of uncertainties, particularly the condition of the oil and gas
industry and the related drilling activity in
 
                                      F-27
<PAGE>   66
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
Falcon's markets. There can therefore be no assurance that these resources will
continue to be sufficient to fund Falcon's cash requirements.
 
8. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED):
 
     Summarized quarterly financial data for the four quarters ended, December
31, 1994 and 1995, is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              UNAUDITED THREE MONTHS ENDED
                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        MARCH 31,   JUNE 30,   SEPTEMBER 30,   DECEMBER 31,   MARCH 31,   JUNE 30,   SEPTEMBER 30,   DECEMBER 31,
                          1994        1994         1994            1994         1995        1995         1995            1995
                        ---------   --------   -------------   ------------   ---------   --------   -------------   ------------
<S>                     <C>         <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>         <C>        <C>             <C>
Operating revenues.....  $32,119    $33,619       $33,026        $ 39,739      $41,217    $39,419       $47,977        $ 48,892
Operating costs and
 expenses, excluding
 depreciation..........   23,220     25,206        29,620          29,097       31,313     31,735        34,213          37,602
Depreciation...........    1,793      2,163         2,663           2,826        3,604      3,802         4,296           4,825
Income (loss) before
 income taxes and
 minority
 interest..............    5,087      3,731        (2,069)          4,399        2,118       (246 )       5,217           2,738
Net income (loss)
 applicable to common
 shares................    2,210      1,660        (1,734)          1,729          894       (639 )       2,920           1,506
Net income (loss) per
 common share..........  $   .08    $   .06       $  (.11)       $    .06      $   .03    $  (.04 )     $   .10        $    .04
</TABLE>
 
9. ADDITIONAL BALANCE SHEET AND STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS INFORMATION:
 
     Other current assets include the following (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          DECEMBER 31,
                                                                       -------------------
                                                                        1994         1995
                                                                       ------       ------
    <S>                                                                <C>          <C>
    Short-term investments...........................................  $3,264       $  842
    Prepaid insurance................................................     914        1,125
    Worker compensation insurance receivables........................   1,166        2,600
    Other............................................................     233          321
                                                                       ------       ------
                                                                       $5,577       $4,888
                                                                       ======       ======
</TABLE>
 
     Other assets include the following (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          DECEMBER 31,
                                                                       -------------------
                                                                        1994        1995
                                                                       -------     -------
    <S>                                                                <C>         <C>
    Deposits on drillpipe, rigs, and equipment.......................  $   608     $11,763
    Deferred financing costs.........................................    5,855       6,338
    Oil and gas properties...........................................    1,758       2,821
    Deferred mobilization costs......................................    2,262       2,589
                                                                       -------     -------
                                                                       $10,483     $23,511
                                                                       =======     =======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-28
<PAGE>   67
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     Accounts payable and accrued liabilities include the following (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          DECEMBER 31,
                                                                       -------------------
                                                                        1994        1995
                                                                       -------     -------
    <S>                                                                <C>         <C>
    Accounts payable, trade..........................................  $11,933     $15,891
    Accrued interest.................................................    6,200       7,136
    Accrued payroll..................................................      869       1,763
    Accrued sales taxes..............................................      374       1,640
    Accrued worker compensation claims...............................      944       1,225
    Other............................................................    2,427       3,671
                                                                       -------     -------
                                                                       $22,747     $31,326
                                                                       =======     =======
</TABLE>
 
     Other income (expense) includes the following items (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                 --------------------------
                                                                 1993      1994       1995
                                                                 ----     ------     ------
    <S>                                                          <C>      <C>        <C>
    Interest income............................................  $ --     $1,036     $1,118
    Gain on sale of assets.....................................   884      1,337        962
    Other......................................................    43       (404)       770
                                                                 ----     ------     ------
                                                                 $927     $1,969     $2,850
                                                                 ====     ======     ======
</TABLE>
 
10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
 
     Falcon's formation and growth was generated mainly through acquisitions.
Certain of these acquisitions were made through affiliates and related parties.
For further discussion relating to these acquisitions see Note 1 -- Formation of
Falcon and Acquisitions.
 
     The former owners of Two "R", who are also officers of Falcon, lease
crewboats, tugboats and supply barges and other vessels to Falcon at a
contracted bareboat rate of $100 per day for crewboats and tugboats and $60 per
day for other vessels, with Falcon responsible for drydocking, painting and
repairs. The former owners received revenues of $674,000, $829,000 and $866,000,
respectively, for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995.
 
     A director of Falcon, who is a stockholder of Falcon, a member of the
Webster Group and a partial owner of Kestrel and Taladro Associates, was a
partner through mid-1994 in a law firm which provided legal services to Falcon
and certain of its affiliated entities. Fees paid by Falcon to this law firm
were $570,000 and $501,000 in the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1994,
respectively. The director became a partner in a new law firm during mid-1994.
Fees paid by Falcon to this new law firm were $282,000 and $1,141,000 for the
years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995 respectively. A director of Falcon who
performs financial consulting services for Falcon from time to time and is also
an officer of a subsidiary of Falcon, received $161,000 and $120,000 for such
services in the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995 respectively.
 
     Falcon pays a quarterly fee to a privately held company controlled by the
S-C Interests, for financial advisory services. The fee is tied proportionately
to the aggregate total of the S-C Interests' equity investment in Falcon. Falcon
paid $247,000 and $126,000 for such services for the years ended December 31,
1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
11. SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORMATION:
 
     Falcon's obligations under the Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally
guaranteed by Falcon and each of Falcon's directly held subsidiaries and certain
of Falcon's indirectly held subsidiaries on a joint and several
 
                                      F-29
<PAGE>   68
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
basis. The indenture and note purchase agreement under which the Senior Notes
were issued provides for acquired subsidiaries subsequent to the issuance of the
Senior Notes to be designated as guarantors of the Senior Notes.
 
     The indentures pursuant to which the Senior Notes, the 8 7/8% Notes and the
Subordinated Notes were issued provide that 12 specified barge rigs are to be
nonrecourse rigs whereby Falcon has the option to transfer such nonrecourse
barge rigs to nonguarantor subsidiaries at any time; provided, however, that
Falcon may, at its option and at any time, designate up to two of its barge rigs
in substitution for any two of the designated nonrecourse barge rigs. In
addition, up to two of Falcon's jackup rigs may be designated nonrecourse rigs
provided certain financial tests are met.
 
     During December 1994, Falcon transferred three nonrecourse barge rigs to a
newly formed nonguarantor subsidiary, Falcon Drilling de Venezuela, Inc. During
March 1995, Falcon Drilling de Venezuela, Inc., was merged with a guarantor
subsidiary of Falcon in connection with the issuance of the Subordinated Notes,
and the three barge rigs previously designated as nonrecourse rigs ceased being
nonrecourse rigs. In the fourth quarter of 1995, in connection with deploying
Rig 203 to Venezuela, Turnstone's note secured by the rig was assumed by Falcon
Drilling Company, Inc. and Turnstone was dissolved. The following condensed
consolidating financial statements are presented for purposes of complying with
the reporting requirements of the parent company and the subsidiaries which are
guarantors under the Senior Notes. The financial statements at December 31,
1994, include Turnstone and Eilert-Olsen as nonguarantor subsidiaries, and at
December 31, 1995 and September 30, 1996, include only Eilert-Olsen as a
nonguarantor subsidiary. Falcon believes that separate financial statements and
other disclosures of the guarantors are not material.
 
     Upon occurrence of an event of default, as defined, pursuant to a revolving
credit facility with two banks, the ability of certain subsidiaries of Falcon to
make distributions or other transfers to Falcon will be restricted.
 
                                      F-30
<PAGE>   69
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
 
                               SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                           (UNAUDITED) (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  FALCON DRILLING     GUARANTOR      NONGUARANTOR
             ASSETS                COMPANY, INC.     SUBSIDIARIES    SUBSIDIARIES    ELIMINATIONS    CONSOLIDATED
                                  ---------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                               <C>                <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents.....     $   4,224         $  2,085         $   --         $      --       $  6,309
  Accounts receivable, net......        24,871           43,963             --                --         68,834
  Other current assets..........             3            3,077             --                --          3,080
                                      --------         --------         ------         ---------       --------
          Total current
            assets..............        29,098           49,125             --                --         78,223
EQUIPMENT AND PROPERTY, net.....        65,647          349,254          2,555                --        417,456
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS.........            --           18,045             --                --         18,045
INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES AND
  JOINT VENTURES, net...........       367,106               --             --          (367,106)            --
                                      --------         --------         ------         ---------       --------
          Total assets..........     $ 461,851         $416,424         $2,555         $(367,106)      $513,724
                                      ========         ========         ======         =========       ========
LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable and accrued
     liabilities................     $  17,236         $ 25,506         $   --         $      --       $ 42,742
  Debt due within one year......            --            2,741            383                --          3,124
                                      --------         --------         ------         ---------       --------
          Total current
            liabilities.........        17,236           28,247            383                --         45,866
LONG-TERM DEBT, net.............       310,000            1,666            739                --        312,405
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES...........            --           20,838             --                --         20,838
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Partnership capital...........            --           56,672             --           (56,672)            --
  Common stock..................           355               --             --                --            355
  Additional paid-in capital....       113,905          262,765          1,865          (264,630)       113,905
  Accumulated earnings
     (deficit)..................        20,355           46,236           (432)          (45,804)        20,355
                                      --------         --------         ------         ---------       --------
          Total stockholders'
            equity..............     $ 134,615         $365,673         $1,433         $(367,106)      $134,615
                                      --------         --------         ------         ---------       --------
          Total liabilities and
            stockholders'
            equity..............     $ 461,851         $416,424         $2,555         $(367,106)      $513,724
                                      ========         ========         ======         =========       ========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-31
<PAGE>   70
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   FALCON DRILLING     GUARANTOR      NONGUARANTOR
              ASSETS                COMPANY, INC.     SUBSIDIARIES    SUBSIDIARIES    ELIMINATIONS    CONSOLIDATED
                                   ---------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                                <C>                <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents.......    $     141         $  8,875         $   --         $      --       $  9,016
  Accounts receivable, net........       11,953           26,047             --                --         38,000
  Other current assets............        2,524            2,364             --                --          4,888
                                       --------         --------         ------         ---------       --------
          Total current assets....       14,618           37,286             --                --         51,904
EQUIPMENT AND PROPERTY, net.......       18,598          244,313          2,697                --        265,608
OTHER NONCURRENT
  ASSETS..........................          137           23,374                               --         23,511
INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES AND
  JOINT VENTURES, net.............      268,118               --             --          (268,118)            --
                                       --------         --------         ------         ---------       --------
          Total assets............    $ 301,471         $304,973         $2,697         $(268,118)      $341,023
                                       ========         ========         ======         =========       ========
         LIABILITIES AND
       STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable and accrued
     liabilities..................    $   8,985         $ 22,482         $   --         $      --       $ 31,467
  Debt and other obligations due
     within one year..............        1,969            1,666            364                --          3,999
                                       --------         --------         ------         ---------       --------
          Total current
            liabilities...........       10,954           24,148            364                --         35,466
LONG-TERM DEBT, net...............      175,000            3,334          1,028                --        179,362
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES.............                        10,679                                          10,679
MINORITY INTEREST.................
PREFERRED STOCK...................
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Partnership capital.............           --           56,672             --           (56,672)            --
  Common stock....................          352               --             --                --            352
  Additional paid-in capital......      112,854          191,921          1,603          (193,525)       112,853
  Accumulated earnings
     (deficit)....................        2,311           18,219           (298)          (17,921)         2,311
                                       --------         --------         ------         ---------       --------
          Total stockholders'
            equity................      115,517          266,812          1,305          (268,118)       115,516
                                       --------         --------         ------         ---------       --------
          Total liabilities and
            stockholders'
            equity................    $ 301,471         $304,973         $2,697         $(268,118)      $341,023
                                       ========         ========         ======         =========       ========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-32
<PAGE>   71
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
                               DECEMBER 31, 1994
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           FALCON DRILLING     GUARANTOR      NONGUARANTOR
                                            COMPANY, INC.     SUBSIDIARIES    SUBSIDIARIES    ELIMINATIONS    CONSOLIDATED
                                           ---------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                                        <C>                <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents...............    $      --         $  4,868         $   --         $      --       $  4,868
  Accounts receivable, net................           --           31,290            902              (397)        31,795
  Other current assets....................           95            5,577             --               (95)         5,577
                                               --------         --------         ------         ---------       --------
          Total current assets............           95           41,735            902              (492)        42,240
EQUIPMENT AND PROPERTY, net...............        7,266          155,407          8,150                --        170,823
INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES AND JOINT
  VENTURES, net...........................      170,791               --             --          (170,191)           600
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS...................        3,260           10,483             --            (3,260)        10,483
                                               --------         --------         ------         ---------       --------
          Total assets....................    $ 181,412         $207,625         $9,052         $(173,943)      $224,146
                                               ========         ========         ======         =========       ========
LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable and accrued
     liabilities..........................    $      --         $ 22,153         $  991         $    (397)      $ 22,747
  Income tax payable......................           --               95             --                --             95
  Debt and other obligations due within
     one year.............................       15,976              801            339               (95)        17,021
                                               --------         --------         ------         ---------       --------
          Total current liabilities.......       15,976           23,049          1,330              (492)        39,863
LONG-TERM DEBT, net.......................      126,362           14,947          3,330            (3,260)       141,379
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES.....................          842            2,473             --                --          3,315
MINORITY INTEREST.........................           --            1,357             --                --          1,357
PREFERRED STOCK...........................        4,145               --             --                --          4,145
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Partnership capital.....................           --           56,676             --           (56,676)            --
  Common stock............................          159               --             --                --            159
  Preferred stock, Series A...............       14,328               --             --                --         14,328
  Additional paid-in capital..............       21,970          105,669          4,208          (109,877)        21,970
  Accumulated earnings (deficit)..........       (2,370)           3,454            184            (3,638)        (2,370)
                                               --------         --------         ------         ---------       --------
          Total stockholders' equity......       34,087          165,799          4,392          (170,191)        34,087
                                               --------         --------         ------         ---------       --------
          Total liabilities and
            stockholders' equity..........    $ 181,412         $207,625         $9,052         $(173,943)      $224,146
                                               ========         ========         ======         =========       ========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-33
<PAGE>   72
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
                  FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                           (UNAUDITED) (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  FALCON DRILLING     GUARANTOR      NONGUARANTOR
                                   COMPANY, INC.     SUBSIDIARIES    SUBSIDIARIES    ELIMINATIONS    CONSOLIDATED
                                  ---------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                               <C>                <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
OPERATING REVENUES...............    $  10,217         $210,748          $  --         $     --        $220,965
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
  Operating costs................        6,877          134,434             --               --         141,311
  General and administrative
     expenses....................          404           12,787             --               --          13,191
  Depreciation...................          565           20,132            142               --          20,839
                                      --------         --------          -----         --------        --------
OPERATING INCOME.................        2,371           43,395           (142)              --          45,624
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE:
  Interest expense...............       17,842              245             71               --          18,158
  Other (income) expense, net....          146           (1,321)            --               --          (1,175)
  Equity in income of
     subsidiaries................      (27,883)              --             --           27,883              --
                                      --------         --------          -----         --------        --------
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME
  TAXES..........................       12,266           44,471           (213)         (27,883)         28,641
INCOME TAX PROVISION (BENEFIT)...       (5,778)          16,454            (79)              --          10,597
                                      --------         --------          -----         --------        --------
NET INCOME (LOSS)................    $  18,044         $ 28,017          $(134)        $(27,883)       $ 18,044
                                      ========         ========          =====         ========        ========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-34
<PAGE>   73
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  FALCON DRILLING     GUARANTOR      NONGUARANTOR
                                   COMPANY, INC.     SUBSIDIARIES    SUBSIDIARIES    ELIMINATIONS    CONSOLIDATED
                                  ---------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                               <C>                <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
OPERATING REVENUES...............     $ 11,726         $165,779         $   --         $     --        $177,505
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
  Operating costs................        8,495          112,497             --               --         120,992
  General and administrative
     expenses....................          471           13,400             --               --          13,871
  Depreciation...................          837           15,548            142               --          16,527
                                      --------         --------         ------         --------        --------
OPERATING INCOME.................        1,923           24,334           (142)              --          26,115
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE:
  Interest expense...............       17,103            8,191            110           (7,383)         18,021
  Other (income) expense, net....         (612)          (8,504)            --            7,383          (1,733)
  Equity in income of
     subsidiaries................      (14,446)              --             --           14,446              --
                                      --------         --------         ------         --------        --------
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES
  AND MINORITY INTEREST..........         (122)          24,647           (252)         (14,446)          9,827
INCOME TAX PROVISION (BENEFIT)...       (6,468)          10,052           (103)              --           3,481
                                      --------         --------         ------         --------        --------
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE MINORITY
  INTEREST.......................        6,346           14,595           (149)         (14,446)          6,346
MINORITY INTEREST................        1,291               --             --               --           1,291
                                      --------         --------         ------         --------        --------
NET INCOME (LOSS)................     $  5,055         $ 14,595         $ (149)        $(14,446)       $  5,055
                                      ========         ========         ======         ========        ========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-35
<PAGE>   74
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  FALCON DRILLING     GUARANTOR      NONGUARANTOR
                                   COMPANY, INC.     SUBSIDIARIES    SUBSIDIARIES    ELIMINATIONS    CONSOLIDATED
                                  ---------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                               <C>                <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
OPERATING REVENUES...............     $65,876          $ 68,553         $3,982         $     --        $138,411   
MANAGEMENT FEES FROM RELATED                                                                                      
  PARTIES........................          92                --             --               --              92   
COSTS AND EXPENSES:                                                                                               
  Operating costs................      47,712            44,215          3,329               --          95,256   
  General and administrative                                                                                      
     expenses....................      10,853             1,027              7               --          11,887   
  Depreciation...................       3,704             5,371            370               --           9,445   
                                      -------          --------         ------         --------        --------   
OPERATING INCOME.................       3,699            17,940            276               --          21,915   
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE:                                                                                           
  Interest expense...............      11,377               735             50             (116)         12,046   
  Other (income) expense, net....      (2,083)              688             --              116          (1,279)  
  Equity in income of                                                                                             
     subsidiaries................      (9,711)               --             --            9,711              --   
                                      -------          --------         ------         --------        --------   
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES                                                                                 
  AND MINORITY INTEREST..........       4,116            16,517            226           (9,711)         11,148   
INCOME TAX PROVISION (BENEFIT)...      (3,800)            6,937             95               --           3,232   
                                      -------          --------         ------         --------        --------   
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE MINORITY                                                                                     
  INTEREST.......................       7,916             9,580            131           (9,711)          7,916   
MINORITY INTEREST................      (3,486)               --             --               --          (3,486)   
                                      -------          --------         ------         --------        --------   
NET INCOME (LOSS)................     $ 4,430          $  9,580         $  131         $ (9,711)       $  4,430   
                                      =======          ========         ======         ========        ========   
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-36
<PAGE>   75
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
                  FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                           (UNAUDITED) (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   FALCON
                                                  DRILLING       GUARANTOR     NONGUARANTOR
                                                COMPANY, INC.   SUBSIDIARIES   SUBSIDIARIES   ELIMINATIONS   CONSOLIDATED
                                                -------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
<S>                                             <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                            
  Net income (loss)............................   $  18,044      $    28,017      $ (134)       $(27,883)     $   18,044
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to                                                               
     net cash provided by (used in) operating                                                                 
     activities --                                                                                            
     Equity in unconsolidated subsidiaries.....     (27,883)              --          --          27,883              --
     Depreciation and amortization.............       2,528           20,277         142              --          22,947
     Realized gain on the sale of assets.......          --             (775)         --              --            (775)
     Provision for deferred income taxes.......          --           10,159          --              --          10,159
     Changes in current assets and                                                                            
       liabilities.............................     (69,037)          52,237         262              --         (16,538)
                                                  ----------     -----------      ------        --------      ----------
          Net cash provided by (used in)                                                                      
            operating activities...............     (76,348)         109,915         270              --          33,837
                                                  ----------     -----------      ------        --------      ----------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                                                                         
  Purchases of equipment and property..........     (57,769)        (115,451)         --              --        (173,220)
  Refunds on drillpipe, rigs and equipment, net                                                               
     of deposits...............................       6,174               --          --              --           6,174
  Sale of equipment and property...............          --            1,307          --              --           1,307
  Intercompany advances........................          --               --          --              --              --
                                                  ----------     -----------      ------        --------      ----------
          Net cash used in investing                                                                          
            activities.........................     (51,595)        (114,144)         --              --        (165,739)
                                                  ----------     -----------      ------        --------      ----------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                                                                         
  Issuance of debt.............................     172,000               --          --              --         172,000
  Proceeds from sale of stock..................       1,078               --          --              --           1,078
  Payments of outstanding debt.................     (37,000)          (2,561)       (270)             --         (39,831)
  Stock issuance costs.........................         (24)              --          --              --             (24)
  Debt issuance costs..........................      (4,028)              --          --              --          (4,028)
                                                  ----------     -----------      ------        --------      ----------
          Net cash provided by (used in)                                                                      
            financing activities...............     132,026           (2,561)       (270)             --         129,195
                                                  ----------     -----------      ------        --------      ----------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH                                                                      
  EQUIVALENTS..................................       4,083           (6,790)         --              --          (2,707)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF                                                                     
  YEAR.........................................         141            8,875          --              --           9,016
                                                  ----------     -----------      ------        --------      ----------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR.......   $   4,224      $     2,085      $   --        $     --      $    6,309
                                                  =========      ===========      =======       ========      ==========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-37
<PAGE>   76
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                FALCON
                                               DRILLING        GUARANTOR      NONGUARANTOR
                                             COMPANY, INC.    SUBSIDIARIES    SUBSIDIARIES    ELIMINATIONS    CONSOLIDATED
                                             -------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                                          <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income (loss)........................    $   5,055        $ 14,595         $ (149)        $(14,446)       $  5,055
  Adjustments to reconcile net income
    (loss) to net cash provided by (used
    in) operating activities --
    Equity in unconsolidated
      subsidiaries.........................      (14,446)             --             --           14,446              --
    Depreciation and amortization..........        1,075          17,450            142               --          18,667
    Realized gain on the sale of assets....           --            (962)            --               --            (962)
    Minority interest in earnings of
      subsidiary...........................        1,291              --             --               --           1,291
    Provision for deferred income taxes....           --           3,481             --                            3,481
    Foreign currency translation gain......         (857)           (166)            --               --          (1,023)
    Changes in current assets and current
      liabilities and intercompany
      balances.............................      (88,637)         85,339            346               --          (2,952)
                                                --------        --------          -----         --------        --------
         Net cash provided by (used in)
           operating activities............      (96,519)        119,737            339                0          23,557
                                                --------        --------          -----         --------        --------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchases of equipment and property......       (5,939)        (98,199)            --               --        (104,138)
  Deposits on drillpipe, rigs and
    equipment..............................      (11,155)             --             --               --         (11,155)
  Distribution for minority owner's
    interest in Blake Workover.............                       (1,804)            --               --          (1,804)
  Proceeds from sale of equipment and
    property...............................           --           3,201             --               --           3,201
  Deferred costs of Venezuelan
    operations.............................           --                             --               --              --
                                                --------        --------          -----         --------        --------
         Net cash used in investing
           activities......................      (17,094)        (96,802)            --               --        (113,896)
                                                --------        --------          -----         --------        --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Issuance of debt.........................       50,000              --             --               --          50,000
  Payments of outstanding debt.............                      (18,732)          (339)              --         (19,071)
  Borrowings pursuant to revolving credit
    facility...............................       28,000                                                          28,000
  Payments of amounts borrowed pursuant to
    revolving credit facility..............      (28,000)                                                        (28,000)
  Issuance of common stock.................       70,423              --             --               --          70,423
  Debt issuance costs......................       (2,125)             --             --               --          (2,125)
  Redemption of preferred stock............       (3,500)             --             --               --          (3,500)
  Dividends on preferred stock.............       (1,019)             --             --               --          (1,019)
                                                --------        --------          -----         --------        --------
         Net cash provided by (used in)
           financing activities............      113,779         (18,732)          (339)              --          94,708
                                                --------        --------          -----         --------        --------
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH...........          (25)           (196)                                           (221)
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH
  EQUIVALENTS..............................          141           4,007              0               --           4,148
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF
  YEAR.....................................           --           4,868             --               --           4,868
                                                --------        --------          -----         --------        --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR...    $     141        $  8,875         $    0         $     --        $  9,016
                                                ========        ========          =====         ========        ========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-38
<PAGE>   77
 
                 FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                FALCON
                                               DRILLING        GUARANTOR      NONGUARANTOR
                                             COMPANY, INC.    SUBSIDIARIES    SUBSIDIARIES    ELIMINATIONS    CONSOLIDATED
                                             -------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                                          <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income (loss)........................     $  4,430        $  9,580         $  131           (9,711)       $   4,430
  Adjustments to reconcile net income
    (loss) to net cash provided by (used
    in) operating activities --
    Equity in unconsolidated
      subsidiaries.........................       (9,711)             --             --            9,711               --
    Depreciation and amortization..........        4,394           5,371            370               --           10,135
    Realized gain on the sale of assets....       (1,097)           (240)            --               --           (1,337)
    Minority interest in earnings of
      subsidiary...........................        3,486              --             --               --            3,486
    Provision for deferred income taxes....           --           1,643             --               --            1,643
    Changes in current assets and current
      liabilities and intercompany
      balances.............................       12,247         (11,783)          (190)              --              274
                                                --------        --------         ------         --------        ---------
         Net cash provided by (used in)
           operating activities............       13,749           4,571            311               --           18,631
                                                --------        --------         ------         --------        ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchases of equipment...................      (45,955)         (4,313)           (80)              --          (50,348)
  Purchase of FALRIG Corporation...........      (25,389)             --             --               --          (25,389)
  Purchase of FALRIG USA...................      (28,015)             --             --               --          (28,015)
  Proceeds from sale of equipment..........        1,098           1,452             --               --            2,550
                                                --------        --------         ------         --------        ---------
         Net cash provided by (used in)
           investing activities............      (98,261)         (2,861)           (80)              --         (101,202)
                                                --------        --------         ------         --------        ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Issuance of debt.........................      125,000              --             --               --          125,000
  Payments of outstanding debt.............      (34,225)           (832)          (231)              --          (35,288)
  Retirement of preferred stock............       (3,500)             --             --               --           (3,500)
  Debt issuance costs......................       (5,130)             --             --               --           (5,130)
  Dividends on preferred stock.............         (351)             --             --               --             (351)
                                                --------        --------         ------         --------        ---------
         Net cash provided by (used in)
           financing activities............       81,794            (832)          (231)              --           80,731
                                                --------        --------         ------         --------        ---------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH
  EQUIVALENTS..............................       (2,718)            878             --               --           (1,840)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF
  YEAR.....................................        2,718           3,990             --               --            6,708
                                                --------        --------         ------         --------        ---------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR...     $     --        $  4,868         $   --         $     --        $   4,868
                                                ========        ========         ======         ========        =========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-39
<PAGE>   78
                                     RIG 40 -- BARGE RIG
                                     FOR LAKE MARACAIBO
                                          SERVICE
        
                   The Company operates three barge rigs in Lake Maracaibo for
                   Maraven pursuant to five-year contracts. The Company also
                   owns an interest in a venture which has been operating two
                   units since 1992 for Maraven in Lake Maracaibo. A Lake 
                   Maracaibo barge rig is specially designed to perform
  [PHOTO OF        exploration, development and workover activities in water
DRILLING RIG]      depths of up to 150 feet. These rigs are towed to each 
                   well site, where they work in a floating mode anchored to
                   the lakebed with an eight point mooring system. These
                   barge rigs were developed by modifying existing posted
                   barge units, including the drill floor to allow work over 
                   an existing platform structure.
        


                                    RIG 17 -- POSTED BARGE
                                         DRILLING RIG

                   A barge rig is designed to perform exploration, development
                   and workover activities in transition zone areas,
                   principally in water depths of up to 20 feet in shallow
                   offshore areas and inland waters such as lakes, bays, 
                   rivers and marshes. The barge rig is towed to the well
                   site and submerged to the bottom using a ballast system. 
                   The rig features several deck levels which contain the
  [PHOTO OF        drilling equipment and crew quarters. There are two main
DRILLING RIG]      types of barge configuration, posted and conventional, the 
                   principal difference being that the posted unit features a
                   section of 10 to 14 foot posts between the bottom hull and
                   the machinery deck which elevates the rig floor and provides
                   the capability to work in deeper water. All but one of the
                   Company's 40 domestically based barge drilling rigs have a
                   drilling capacity of 20,000 feet or greater. The Company
                   also operates ten smaller barge units which are used for
                   workover and shallow drilling activity.
<PAGE>   79
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND,
IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS
HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY, ANY SELLING STOCKHOLDERS OR ANY
UNDERWRITER. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY
JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER IN SUCH
JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE
HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE
INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF OR
THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE SUCH DATE.
 
                               ------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Prospectus Summary.....................   3
Risk Factors...........................   7
Use of Proceeds........................  10
Price Range of Common Stock............  11
Capitalization.........................  12
Selected Historical Financial and Other
  Data.................................  13
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
  Financial Condition and Results of
  Operations...........................  15
Business...............................  20
Management.............................  28
Selling Stockholders...................  30
Underwriting...........................  31
Notice to Canadian Residents...........  33
Certain United States Tax Consequences
  to Non-United States Holders.........  34
Legal Matters..........................  36
Experts................................  36
Available Information..................  37
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference............................  37
Index to Financial Statements.......... F-1

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               Falcon Drilling
                                Company, Inc.

[FALCON DRILLING COMPANY LOGO]

                               7,000,000 Shares

                                 Common Stock
                               ($.01 par value)

                                  PROSPECTUS

                               CS First Boston
 
                         Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
                            Securities Corporation
 
                              Salomon Brothers Inc
 
                            Schroder Wertheim & Co.
 
                              Simmons & Company
                                International
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   80
 
***************************************************************************
*                                                                         *
*  INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A  *
*  REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED     *
*  WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT  *
*  BE SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE        *
*  REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT    *
*  CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY     *
*  NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH  *
*  SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO            *
*  REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH    *
*  STATE.                                                                 *
*                                                                         *
***************************************************************************

 
                 [ALTERNATE PAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTUS]
                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED NOVEMBER  , 1996
 
                                7,000,000 Shares
 
[FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC. LOGO]

                         Falcon Drilling Company, Inc.

                                  Common Stock
                                ($.01 par value)

                               ------------------
 
 Of the 7,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value ("Common Stock"), of
    Falcon Drilling Company, Inc. ("Falcon" or the "Company") being offered
     hereby, 3,000,000 shares are being sold by the Company and 4,000,000
    shares are being sold by the Selling Stockholders. The Company will not
      receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares by the Selling
     Stockholders. See "Selling Stockholders." Of the 7,000,000 shares of
      Common Stock being offered,             shares are initially being
       offered outside the United States and Canada (the "International
          Shares") by the Managers (the "International Offering") and
              shares are initially being concurrently offered in
         the United States and Canada (the "U.S. Shares") by the U.S.
           Underwriters (the "U.S. Offering" and, together with the
             International Offering, the "Offering"). The offering
            price and underwriting discounts and commissions of the
               U.S. Offering and the International Offering are
              identical. The Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq
               Stock Market under the symbol "FLCN." On November
                  , 1996 the last reported sale price of the
                 Common Stock was $     per             share.
                      See "Price Range of Common Stock."
                                       
FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN CONNECTION WITH
       AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMMON STOCK, SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE    .
 
   THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
        AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR
            HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE
             SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR AD-
                 EQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION
                    TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Underwriting                    Proceeds to
                                                Price to     Discounts and    Proceeds to       Selling
                                                 Public       Commissions      Company(1)     Stockholders
                                            ------------     -------------    -----------     ------------
<S>                                         <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Per Share...................................        $              $               $               $
Total (2)...................................        $              $               $               $
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Before deduction of expenses payable by the Company, estimated at
    $            .
(2) The Company and certain of the Selling Stockholders have granted the
    Managers and the U.S. Underwriters an option, exercisable by CS First Boston
    Corporation for 30 days from the date of this Prospectus, to purchase a
    maximum of 250,000 additional shares of Common Stock from the Company and a
    maximum of 800,000 shares of additional outstanding shares from such Selling
    Stockholders to cover over-allotments of shares. If the option is exercised
    in full, the total Price to Public will be $            , Underwriting
    Discounts and Commissions will be $            , Proceeds to Company will be
    $            , and Proceeds to Selling Stockholders will be $            .
 
     The International Shares are offered by the several Managers when, as and
if issued by the Company, delivered to and accepted by the Managers and subject
to their right to reject orders in whole or in part. It is expected that the
International Shares will be ready for delivery on or about           , 1996
against payment in immediately available funds.
 
                                CS First Boston
 
               The date of this Prospectus is November   , 1996.
<PAGE>   81
 
                [ALTERNATE PAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTUS]
 
     NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND,
IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS
HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY, ANY SELLING STOCKHOLDERS OR ANY
UNDERWRITER. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY
JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER IN SUCH
JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE
HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE
INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF OR
THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE SUCH DATE.
 
IN THIS PROSPECTUS REFERENCES TO "DOLLARS" AND "$" ARE TO UNITED STATES DOLLARS.
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Prospectus Summary.....................
Risk Factors...........................
Use of Proceeds........................
Price Range of Common Stock............
Capitalization.........................
Selected Historical Financial and Other
  Data.................................
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
  Financial Condition and Results of
  Operations...........................
Business...............................
Management.............................
 
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Selling Stockholders...................
Subscription and Sale..................
Certain United States Tax Consequences
  to Non-United States Holders.........
Legal Matters..........................
Experts................................
Available Information..................
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference............................
Index to Financial Statements.......... F-1
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   82
 
                [ALTERNATE PAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTUS]
 
                            SUBSCRIPTION AND SALE
 
     The institutions named below (the "Managers") have, pursuant to a
Subscription Agreement dated                , 1996 (the "Subscription
Agreement"), severally and not jointly, agreed with the Company and the Selling
Stockholders to subscribe and pay for the following respective numbers of
International Shares as set forth opposite their names:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                NUMBER OF
                                                                              INTERNATIONAL
                                     MANAGERS                                    SHARES
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------
    <S>                                                                         <C>
    CS First Boston Limited...................................................
 
                                                                                ---------
              Total...........................................................
                                                                                =========
</TABLE>
 
     The Subscription Agreement provides that the obligations of the Managers
are such that, subject to certain conditions precedent, the Managers will be
obligated to purchase all the International Shares if any are purchased. The
Subscription Agreement provides that, in the event of a default by a Manager, in
certain circumstances the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting Managers
may be increased or the Subscription Agreement may be terminated.
 
     The Company and the Selling Stockholders have entered into an Underwriting
Agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") with the U.S. Underwriters of the U.S.
Offering (the "U.S. Underwriters") providing for the concurrent offer and sale
of the U.S. Shares outside the United States and Canada. The closing of the U.S.
Offering is a condition to the closing of the International Offering and vice
versa.
 
     The Company and the Selling Stockholders have granted to the Managers and
the U.S. Underwriters an option, exercisable by CS First Boston Corporation,
expiring at the close of business on the 30th day after the date of this
Prospectus, to purchase up to        additional shares at the initial public
offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions, all as set
forth on the cover page of this Prospectus. Such option may be exercised only to
cover over-allotments in the sale of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby.
To the extent that this option to purchase is exercised, each Manager and each
U.S. Underwriter will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to
purchase approximately the same percentage of additional shares being sold to
the Managers and the U.S. Underwriters as the number of International Shares set
forth next to such Manager's name in the preceding table and as the number set
forth next to such U.S. Underwriter's name in the corresponding table in the
Prospectus relating to the U.S. Offering bears to the sum of the total number of
shares of Common Stock in such tables.
 
     The Company and the Selling Stockholders have been advised by CS First
Boston Limited, on behalf of the Managers, that the Managers propose to offer
the International Shares outside the United States and Canada to the public
initially at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this
Prospectus and, through the Managers, to certain dealers at such price less a
concession of $       per share, and that the Managers and such dealers may
allow a discount of $       per share on sales to certain other dealers. After
the initial public offering, the public offering price and concession and
discount to dealers may be changed by the Managers.
 
     The offering price and the aggregate underwriting discounts and commissions
per share and per share commission and re-allowance to dealers for the
International Offering and the concurrent U.S. Offering will be identical.
Pursuant to an Agreement between the U.S. Underwriters and Managers (the
"Intersyndicate
<PAGE>   83
 
                [ALTERNATE PAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTUS]
 
Agreement") relating to the Common Stock Offering, changes in the offering
price, the aggregate underwriting discounts and commissions per share and per
share commission and reallowance to dealers will be made only upon the mutual
agreement of CS First Boston Limited, on behalf of the Managers, and CS First
Boston Corporation, on behalf of the U.S. Underwriters.
 
     Pursuant to the Intersyndicate Agreement, each of the Managers has agreed
that, as part of the distribution of the International Shares and subject to
certain exceptions, it has not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell,
directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or distribute any prospectus
relating to the Common Stock in the United States or Canada or to any other
dealer who does not so agree. Each of the U.S. Underwriters has agreed, as part
of the distribution of the U.S. Shares and subject to certain exceptions, it has
not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any
shares of Common Stock or distribute any prospectus relating to the Common Stock
to any person outside the United States or Canada or to any other dealer who
does not so agree. The foregoing limitations do not apply to stabilization
transactions or to transactions between the Managers and the U.S. Underwriters
pursuant to the Intersyndicate Agreement. As used herein, "United States" means
the United States of America (including the States and the District of
Columbia), its territories, possessions and other areas subject to its
jurisdiction. "Canada" means Canada, its provinces, territories, possessions and
other areas subject to its jurisdiction, and an offer or sale shall be in the
United States or Canada if it is made to (i) any individual resident in the
United States or Canada or (ii) any corporation, partnership, pension,
profit-sharing or other trust or other entity (including any such entity acting
as an investment adviser with discretionary authority) whose office most
directly involved with the purchase is located in the United States or Canada.
 
     Pursuant to the Intersyndicate Agreement, sales may be made between the
Managers and the U.S. Underwriters of such number of shares of Common Stock as
may be mutually agreed upon. The price of any shares so sold will be the public
offering price less such amount agreed upon by CS First Boston Limited, on
behalf of the Managers, and CS First Boston Corporation, as representative of
the U.S. Underwriters, but not exceeding the selling concession applicable to
such shares. To the extent there are sales between the Managers and the U.S.
Underwriters pursuant to the Intersyndicate Agreement, the number of shares of
Common Stock initially available for sale by the Managers or by the U.S.
Underwriters may be more or less than the amount appearing on the cover page of
the Prospectus. Neither the Managers nor the U.S. Underwriters are obligated to
purchase from the other any unsold shares of Common Stock.
 
     Each of the Managers and the U.S. Underwriters severally represents and
agrees that (1) it has not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, in the
United Kingdom, by means of any document, any shares of Common Stock other than
to persons whose ordinary business it is to buy or sell shares or debentures,
whether as a principal or agent, or in circumstances which do not constitute an
offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Act of 1985, (2) it has
complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the Financial
Services Act of 1986 with respect to anything done by it in relation to any
shares of Common Stock in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom, and
(3) it has only issued or passed on and will only issue or pass on to any person
in the United Kingdom any document received by it in connection with the issue
of any shares of Common Stock if the person is of a kind described in Article
9(3) of the Financial Services Act 1986 (Investment Advertisements) (Exemptions)
Order 1988 or is a person to whom the document may otherwise lawfully be issued
or passed on.
 
     The Company, the Selling Stockholders and certain of their affiliates have
agreed that they will not offer, sell, contract to sell, announce their
intention to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, or
file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement under
the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") relating to, any additional
shares of its Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or
exercisable for any shares of its Common Stock without the prior written consent
of CS First Boston Corporation for a period of 180 days, 90 days in the case of
the Selling Stockholders, after the date of this Prospectus, except that the
Company may (i) issue and sell Common Stock pursuant to any employee stock
option plan, stock ownership plan or dividend reinvestment plan in effect on the
date of this Prospectus, (ii) issue Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of
securities or the exercise of warrants outstanding on the date of this
Prospectus, and (iii) issue up to $15 million of Common Stock pursuant to the
Company's agreement to acquire the Deepsea Ice and the Deepsea Duchess.
 
     The Company and the Selling Stockholders have agreed to indemnify the
Managers and the U.S. Underwriters against certain liabilities, including civil
liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments that the
Managers and the U.S. Underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof.
 
     Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation received customary fees
in connection with the placement of the Company's senior fixed rate notes and
senior subordinated notes, and in connection with the
<PAGE>   84
 
                [ALTERNATE PAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTUS]
 
Company's two prior public offerings of Common Stock. Salomon Brothers Inc
received customary fees in connection with two placements of the Company's
senior fixed rate notes, and in connection with the Company's two prior public
offerings of Common Stock. Simmons & Company International received customary
fees in connection with the Company's two prior public offerings of Common
Stock.
 
     In connection with this Offering, CS First Boston Corporation and certain
of the U.S. Underwriters and selling group members (if any) and their respective
affiliates may engage in passive market making transactions in the Common Stock
on The Nasdaq Stock Market in accordance with Rule 10b-6A under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") during a period before commencement of
offers or sales of the Shares offered hereby. The passive market making
transactions must comply with applicable volume and price limits and be
identified as such.
 
      CERTAIN UNITED STATES TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-UNITED STATES HOLDERS
 
     The following is a general discussion of certain U.S. federal income and
estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of Common Stock
applicable to Non-U.S. Holders of such Common Stock who acquire and own such
Common Stock as a capital asset within the meaning of section 1221 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). A "Non-U.S. Holder" is
any person other than (i) a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a
corporation or partnership created or organized in the United States or under
the laws of the United States or of any state, or (iii) an estate or trust whose
income is includable in gross income for United States federal income tax
purposes regardless of its source. For purposes of the withholding tax on
dividends discussed below, a non-resident fiduciary of an estate or trust will
be considered a Non-U.S. Holder.
 
     This discussion does not consider specific facts and circumstances that may
be relevant to a particular Non-U.S. Holder's tax position (including the fact
that in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a partnership, the U.S. tax
consequences of holding and disposing of shares of Common Stock may be affected
by certain determinations made at the partner level) and does not consider U.S.
state and local or non-U.S. tax consequences. This discussion also does not
consider the tax consequences for any person who is a shareholder, partner or
beneficiary of a holder of the Common Stock. Further, it does not consider
Non-U.S. Holders subject to special tax treatment under federal income tax laws
(including banks and insurance companies, dealers in securities, and holders of
securities held as part of a "straddle," "hedge," or "conversion transaction").
The following discussion is based on provisions of the Code, the applicable
Treasury regulations promulgated and proposed thereunder, and administrative and
judicial interpretations as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to
change either retroactively or prospectively. THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS INCLUDED
HEREIN FOR GENERAL INFORMATION. EACH PROSPECTIVE NON-U.S. HOLDER IS URGED TO
CONSULT A TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE U.S. FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES OF
HOLDING AND DISPOSING OF COMMON STOCK, AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES THAT MAY
ARISE UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY U.S. STATE, LOCAL OR OTHER U.S. OR NON-U.S. TAXING
JURISDICTION.
 
DIVIDENDS
 
     In general, dividends (to the extent of earnings and profits for federal
income tax purposes) paid to a Non-U.S. Holder of Common Stock will be subject
to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as
may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. Dividends that are
effectively connected with such holder's conduct of a trade or business in the
United States or, if a tax treaty applies, attributable to a permanent
establishment, or, in the case of an individual, a "fixed base," in the United
States ("U.S. trade or business income"), are generally subject to U.S. federal
income tax at regular rates, but are not generally subject to the 30%
withholding tax if the Non-U.S. Holder files the appropriate form with the
payor. Any U.S. trade or business income received by a Non-U.S. Holder that is a
corporation may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional
"branch profits tax" at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be applicable under
an income tax treaty.
 
     Under current U.S. Treasury regulations, dividends paid to an address in a
foreign country are presumed, absent actual knowledge to the contrary, to be
paid to a resident of such country for purposes of the withholding discussed
above and for purposes of determining the applicability of a tax treaty rate.
Under proposed U.S. Treasury regulations, not currently in effect, however, a
Non-U.S. Holder of Common Stock who wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable
treaty rate would be required to satisfy applicable certification and other
requirements, which would include the requirement that the Non-U.S. Holder file
a form which contains the holder's name and address and an official statement by
the competent authority in the foreign country (as designated in the applicable
tax treaty) attesting to the holder's status as a resident thereof.
<PAGE>   85
 
                [ALTERNATE PAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTUS]
                                      
     A Non-U.S. Holder of Common Stock that is eligible for a reduced rate of
U.S. withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any
excess amounts currently withheld by filing an appropriate claim for a refund
with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
 
DISPOSITION OF COMMON STOCK
 
     Under current U.S. law, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to
U.S. federal income tax in respect of gain recognized on a disposition of Common
Stock unless (i) the gain is U.S. trade or business income, (ii) the Non-U.S.
Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 or more days
in the taxable year of the disposition and meets certain other requirements,
(iii) the Non-U.S. Holder is subject to tax pursuant to the provisions of U.S.
tax law applicable to certain United States expatriates, or (iv) the Company was
a "U.S. real property holding corporation" for federal income tax purposes
(unless the Common Stock is "regularly traded on an established securities
market" and the Non-U.S. Holder did not hold, directly or indirectly, at any
time during the five-year period ending on the date of disposition of Common
stock, more than 5% of the Common stock). The Company believes that it is not
now and has not been within the past five years, and anticipates that it will
not become, a "U.S. real property holding corporation" for U.S. federal income
tax purposes.
 
FEDERAL ESTATE TAXES
 
     Common Stock owned or treated as owned by an individual who is a Non-U.S.
Holder at the time of death will be included in the individual's gross estate
for U.S. federal estate tax purposes, unless an applicable estate tax treaty
provides otherwise. Such individual's estate may be subject to United States
federal estate tax on the property includable in the estate for U.S. federal
estate tax purposes.
 
U.S. INFORMATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING TAX
 
     The Company must report annually to the Internal Revenue Service and to
each Non-U.S. Holder the amount of dividends paid to, and the tax withheld with
respect to, each Non-U.S. Holder. These reporting requirements apply whether or
not withholding was reduced or eliminated by an applicable tax treaty. Copies of
these information returns may also be made available under the provisions of a
specific treaty or agreement to the tax authorities in the country in which the
Non-U.S. Holder resides. The United States backup withholding tax (which
generally is a withholding tax imposed at the rate of 31% on certain payments to
persons that fail to furnish the information required under the United States
information reporting requirements) generally will not apply to dividends paid
on the Common Stock to a Non-U.S. Holder at an address outside the United
States.
 
     The payment of the proceeds from the disposition of Common Stock to or
through the U.S. office of a broker is subject to information reporting and
backup withholding at a rate of 31% unless the owner certifies its non-U.S.
status under penalty of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption. The
payment of the proceeds from the disposition of Common Stock to or through the
foreign office of a foreign broker generally will not be subject to backup
withholding and information reporting. In the case of the payment of proceeds
from the disposition of Common Stock effected by a foreign office of a broker
that is a U.S. person or a "U.S. related person," existing regulations require
information reporting on the payment unless the broker receives a statement from
the owner, signed under penalty of perjury, certifying its non-U.S. status or
the broker has documentary evidence in its files as to the Non-U.S. Holder's
foreign status and the broker has no actual knowledge to the contrary. For this
purpose, a "U.S. related person" is (i) a "controlled foreign corporation" for
U.S. federal income tax purposes or (ii) a foreign person 50% or more of whose
gross income from all sources for the three-year period ending with the close of
its taxable year preceding the payment (or for such part of the period that the
broker has been in existence) is derived from activities that are effectively
connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business. Existing regulations
reserve on the question of whether reportable payments made through foreign
offices of a broker that is a U.S. person or "U.S. related person" will be
subject to backup withholding, but provide that if a rule imposing backup
withholding were adopted it would be prospective only. Proposed regulations
state that backup withholding will not apply to such payments (absent actual
knowledge that the payee is a U.S. person).
 
     Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a
Non-U.S. Holder will be allowed as a refund or a credit against such Non-U.S.
Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required
information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
<PAGE>   86
 
                [ALTERNATE PAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTUS]
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The legality of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby is being passed
upon for Falcon by Parson & Brown, New York, New York. William R. Ziegler, a
partner of Parson & Brown, is a member of the board of directors of Falcon and
owns beneficially an aggregate of 2,221,300 shares of Common Stock. See
"Management." In addition, an associate of Parson & Brown is the Secretary of
Falcon and holds options granted pursuant to Falcon's 1992 Stock Option Plan to
acquire an aggregate of 15,000 shares of Common Stock. Certain legal matters in
connection with the sale of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be
passed upon for the Managers and U.S. Underwriters by Andrews & Kurth L.L.P.,
Houston, Texas.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in
this Prospectus and elsewhere in the Registration Statement have been audited by
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their
reports with respect thereto, and are included or incorporated by reference
herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said
reports.
<PAGE>   87
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
     The following is a statement of the expenses estimated to be incurred by
the Company in connection with the registration of the securities being
registered pursuant to this Registration Statement, other than underwriting
discounts and commissions.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             AMOUNT
                                                                            --------
        <S>                                                                 <C>
        Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee...............  $ 91,437
        National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. filing fee.......    27,017
        Nasdaq Stock Market fee...........................................    17,500
        Printing fees and expenses........................................   145,000
        Legal fees and expenses...........................................   115,000
        Accounting fees and expenses......................................    95,000
        Miscellaneous.....................................................     9,046
                                                                            --------
                                                                                   -
                  Total...................................................  $500,000
                                                                            ========
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
     Article Sixth of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company provides
for the indemnification by the Company of each director, officer and employee of
the Company to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended. Section
145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides in relevant part that a
corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to
be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than
an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such
person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or
is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines
and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person
in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good
faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action
or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person's conduct was
unlawful.
 
     In addition, Section 145 provides that a corporation may indemnify any
person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the
corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such
person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or
is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and
reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement
of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such
person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any
claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be
liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court
of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall
determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in
view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably
entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or
such other court shall deem proper. Delaware law further provides that nothing
in the above-described provisions shall be deemed exclusive of any other rights
to indemnification or advancement of expenses to which any person may be
entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
directors or otherwise.
 
     Article Seventh of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company further
provides that personal liability of Directors is eliminated to the fullest
extent permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law,
as the same may be amended from time to time. Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   88
 
General Corporation Law provides that a corporation's certificate of
incorporation may contain a provision eliminating or limiting the personal
liability of a director to a corporation or its stockholders for monetary
damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision
shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director for, among other
things: breach of the duty of loyalty; acts or omissions not in good faith or
which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law; unlawful
payment of dividends; and transactions from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit.
 
     Reference is made to Section 7 of the Underwriting Agreement and Section 7
of the Subscription Agreement, the forms of which are filed as Exhibits 1.1 and
1.2, respectively, to the Registration Statement, for the indemnification and
contribution arrangements contained therein.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
     (a) Exhibits
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     EXHIBIT NO.                                   DESCRIPTION
- ----------------     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                  <C>
        *1.1         -- Form of Underwriting Agreement (U.S. Shares)

        *1.2         -- Form of Subscription Agreement (International Shares)

         4.1         -- Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended(1)

        *5           -- Opinion of Parson & Brown regarding the legality of the shares of
                        Common Stock

       *23.1         -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

        23.2         -- Consent of Parson & Brown (included in the opinion to be filed as
                        Exhibit 5 to this Registration Statement)

        24           -- Powers of Attorney of certain officers and directors of the Company
                        (included on the signature pages of the Registration Statement)
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
  * Filed herewith
 
(1) Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 2 to the Company's Registration
    Statement on Form S-1 filed July 6, 1995 (Registration No. 33-84582)
 
     (b) Financial Statement Schedules
 
     None.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit
plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   89
 
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
          (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
     of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part
     of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in
     a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
     (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
     registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
          (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
     Act of 1933, each posteffective amendment that contains a form of
     prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
     the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
     time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   90
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT
CERTIFIES THAT IT HAS REASONABLE GROUNDS TO BELIEVE THAT IT MEETS ALL OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING ON FORM S-3 AND HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY
AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, STATE OF TEXAS, ON NOVEMBER 6, 1996.
 
                                          FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC.
 
                                          By:   /s/  STEVEN A. WEBSTER
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                    (Steven A. Webster)
                                             Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
 
     The undersigned officers and directors of the registrant hereby severally
constitute and appoint Steven A. Webster, Robert F. Fulton, William R. Ziegler,
and Leighton E. Moss, and each of them, our true and lawful attorney with full
power to sign for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below, any and
all pre-effective and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement on
Form S-3 filed herewith and any additional registration statements filed
pursuant to Rule 462(b) to register additional shares, and generally to do all
such things in our names and behalf in our capacities as officers and directors
to enable the registrant to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of
1933, hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be signed by
our said attorney to any and all amendments to said Registration Statement.
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on November 6, 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  SIGNATURE                                TITLE
- ---------------------------------------------   ----------------------------
<C>                                             <S>        
         /s/  STEVEN A. WEBSTER                 Chairman, Chief Executive
- ---------------------------------------------   Officer and Director
             (Steven A. Webster)                (principal executive
                                                officer)

         /s/  ROBERT F. FULTON                  Executive Vice President
- ---------------------------------------------   (principal financial officer
             (Robert F. Fulton)                 and principal accounting
                                                officer)

                                                Director
- ---------------------------------------------
            (Purnendu Chatterjee)

      /s/  DOUGLAS A. P. HAMILTON               Director
- ---------------------------------------------
          (Douglas A. P. Hamilton)

      /s/  KENNETH H. HANNAN, JR.               Director
- ---------------------------------------------
          (Kenneth H. Hannan, Jr.)

       /s/  JAMES R. LATIMER, III               Director
- ---------------------------------------------
           (James R. Latimer, III)

        /s/  WILLIAM R. ZIEGLER                 Director
- ---------------------------------------------
            (William R. Ziegler)
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   91
 
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     EXHIBIT NO.                                   DESCRIPTION
- ----------------     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                  <C>
        *1.1         -- Form of Underwriting Agreement (U.S. Shares)

        *1.2         -- Form of Subscription Agreement (International Shares)

         4.1         -- Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended(1)

        *5           -- Opinion of Parson & Brown regarding the legality of the shares of
                        Common Stock

       *23.1         -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

        23.2         -- Consent of Parson & Brown (included in the opinion to be filed as
                        Exhibit 5 to this Registration Statement)

        24           -- Powers of Attorney of certain officers and directors of the Company
                        (included on the signature pages of the Registration Statement)
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
  * Filed herewith
 
(1) Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 2 to the Company's Registration
    Statement on Form S-1 filed July 6, 1995 (Registration No. 33-84582)

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 1.1



                                7,000,000 SHARES

                         FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC.

                                  COMMON STOCK
                                ($.01 PAR VALUE)


                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

                                                               November  , 1996
CS First Boston Corporation
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation
Salomon Brothers Inc
Schroder Wertheim & Co.
Simmons & Company International
As Representatives of the Several Underwriters,
c/o CS First Boston Corporation,
Park Avenue Plaza,
New York, N.Y.  10055.

Dear Sirs:

         1.      Introductory. Falcon Drilling Company, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("Company"), proposes to issue and sell ("U.S. Offering") to the
several Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto ("Underwriters")
shares of its common stock, $.01 par value per share ("Securities"), and the
stockholders listed in Schedule B hereto ("Selling Stockholders") propose to
sell an aggregate of              shares of the Securities (all such shares of
Company securities being hereinafter referred to as the "U.S. Firm
Securities").

         It is understood that the Company is concurrently entering into a
Subscription Agreement, dated the date hereof ("Subscription Agreement"), with
CS First Boston Limited ("CSFBL"),            , and the other managers named
therein ("Managers") relating to the concurrent offering and sale of
shares of Securities ("International Firm Securities") outside the United
States and Canada ("International Offering").

         In addition, as set forth below the Company propose to issue and sell
and the Selling Stockholders propose to sell (i) to the Underwriters, at the
option of the Underwriters, an aggregate of not more than          additional
shares of Securities (all of such additional shares being hereinafter referred
to as the "U.S. Optional Securities") and (ii) to the Managers, at the option
of the Managers, an aggregate of not more than            additional shares of
Securities ("International Optional Securities" and, collectively with the U.S.
Optional Securities, the "Optional Securities"), such Optional Securities to be
provided in the respective amounts indicated on Schedule C hereto.  The U.S.
Firm Securities and the U.S. Optional Securities are hereinafter called the
"U.S. Securities"; the International Firm Securities and the International
Optional Securities are hereinafter called the "International Securities"; the
U.S. Firm Securities and the International Firm Securities are hereinafter
called the "Firm Securities".  The U.S. Securities and the International
Securities are collectively referred to as the "Offered Securities".  To
provide for the coordination of their activities, the Underwriters and the
Managers have entered into an Agreement Between U.S. Underwriters and Managers
which permits them, among other things, to sell the Offered Securities to each
other for purposes of resale.

         The Company and the Selling Stockholders hereby agree with the several
Underwriters as follows:

         2.      Representations and Warranties of the Company and the Selling
Stockholders.  (a) The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the
several Underwriters that:


<PAGE>   2
                 (i)      A registration statement (No. 333-         ) relating
         to the Offered Securities, including a form of prospectus relating to
         the U.S. Securities and a form of prospectus relating to the
         International Securities being offered in the International Offering,
         has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
         ("Commission") and either (i) has been declared effective under the
         Securities Act of 1933 ("Act") and is not proposed to be amended or
         (ii) is proposed to be amended by amendment or post-effective
         amendment.  If such registration statement (the "initial registration
         statement") has been declared effective, either (A) an additional
         registration statement (the "additional registration statement")
         relating to the Offered Securities may have been filed with the
         Commission pursuant to Rule 462(b) ("Rule 462(b)") under the Act and,
         if so filed, has become effective upon filing pursuant to such Rule
         and the Offered Securities all have been duly registered under the Act
         pursuant to the initial registration statement and, if applicable, the
         additional registration statement or (B) such an additional
         registration statement is proposed to be filed with the Commission
         pursuant to Rule 462(b) and will become effective upon filing pursuant
         to such Rule and upon such filing the Offered Securities will all have
         been duly registered under the Act pursuant to the initial
         registration statement and such additional registration statement.  If
         the Company does not propose to amend the initial registration
         statement or if an additional registration statement has been filed
         and the Company does not propose to amend it, and if any
         post-effective amendment to either such registration statement has
         been filed with the Commission prior to the execution and delivery of
         this Agreement, the most recent amendment (if any) to each such
         registration statement has been declared effective by the Commission
         or has become effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(c) ("Rule
         462(c)") under the Act or, in the case of the additional registration
         statement, Rule 462(b).  For purposes of this Agreement, "Effective
         Time" with respect to the initial registration statement or, if filed
         prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the additional
         registration statement means (i) if the Company has advised the
         Representatives that it does not propose to amend such registration
         statement, the date and time as of which such registration statement,
         or the most recent post-effective amendment thereto (if any) filed
         prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, was declared
         effective by the Commission or has become effective upon filing
         pursuant to Rule 462(c), or (ii) if the Company has advised the
         Representatives that it proposes to file an amendment or
         post-effective amendment to such registration statement, the date and
         time as of which such registration statement, as amended by such
         amendment or post-effective amendment, as the case may be, is declared
         effective by the Commission.  If an additional registration statement
         has not been filed prior to the execution and delivery of this
         Agreement but the Company has advised the Representatives that it
         proposes to file one, "Effective Time" with respect to such additional
         registration statement means the date and time as of which such
         registration statement is filed and becomes effective pursuant to Rule
         462(b).  "Effective Date" with respect to the initial registration
         statement or the additional registration statement (if any) means the
         date of the Effective Time thereof.  The initial registration
         statement, as amended at its Effective Time, including all material
         incorporated by reference therein, including all information contained
         in the additional registration statement (if any) and deemed to be a
         part of the initial registration statement as of the Effective Time of
         the additional registration statement pursuant to the General
         Instructions of the Form on which it is filed and including all
         information (if any) deemed to be a part of the initial registration
         statement as of its Effective Time pursuant to Rule 430A(b) ("Rule
         430A(b)") under the Act, is hereinafter referred to as the "Initial
         Registration Statement".  The additional registration statement, as
         amended at its Effective Time, including the contents of the initial
         registration statement incorporated by reference therein and including
         all information (if any) deemed to be a part of the additional
         registration statement as of its Effective Time pursuant to Rule
         430A(b), is hereinafter referred to as the "Additional Registration
         Statement".  The Initial Registration Statement and the Additional
         Registration Statement are hereinafter referred to collectively as the
         "Registration Statements" and individually as a "Registration
         Statement".

                 The form of prospectus relating to the U.S. Securities and the
         form of prospectus relating to the International Securities, each as
         first filed with the Commission pursuant to and in accordance with
         Rule 424(b) ("Rule 424(b)") under the Act or (if no such filing is
         required) as included in the Registration Statement, including all
         material incorporated by reference in each such prospectus, are
         hereinafter referred to as the "U.S. Prospectus" and the
         "International Prospectus", respectively, and collectively as the
         "Prospectuses".  No document has been or will be prepared or
         distributed in reliance on Rule 434 under the Act.





                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3
                 (ii)     If the Effective Time of the Initial Registration
         Statement is prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement:
         (i) on the Effective Date of the Initial Registration Statement, the
         Initial Registration Statement conformed in all respects to the
         requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations of the
         Commission ("Rules and Regulations") and did not include any untrue
         statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
         required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
         therein not misleading, (ii) on the Effective Date of the Additional
         Registration Statement (if any), each Registration Statement
         conformed, or will conform, in all respects to the requirements of the
         Act and the Rules and Regulations and did not include, or will not
         include, any untrue statement of a material fact and did not omit, or
         will not omit, to state any material fact required to be stated
         therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
         and (iii) on the date of this Agreement, the Initial Registration
         Statement and, if the Effective Time of the Additional Registration
         Statement is prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
         the Additional Registration Statement each conforms, and at the time
         of filing of each of the Prospectuses pursuant to Rule 424(b) or (if
         no such filing is required) at the Effective Date of the Additional
         Registration Statement in which the Prospectuses are included, each
         Registration Statement and each of the Prospectuses will conform, in
         all respects to the requirements of the Act and the Rules and
         Regulations, and none of such documents includes, or will include, any
         untrue statement of a material fact or omits, or will omit, to state
         any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
         the statements therein not misleading.  If the Effective Time of the
         Initial Registration Statement is subsequent to the execution and
         delivery of this Agreement: on the Effective Date of the Initial
         Registration Statement, the Initial Registration Statement and each of
         the Prospectuses will conform in all respects to the requirements of
         the Act and the Rules and Regulations, none of such documents will
         include any untrue statement of a material fact or will omit to state
         any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
         the statements therein not misleading, and no Additional Registration
         Statement has been or will be filed.  The two preceding sentences do
         not apply to statements in or omissions from a Registration Statement
         or either of the Prospectuses based upon written information furnished
         to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives or by
         any Manager through CSFBL specifically for use therein, it being
         understood and agreed that the only such information is that described
         as such in Section 7(b).

                 (iii)    Each of the Company and its corporate subsidiaries
         has been duly incorporated, is validly existing as a corporation in
         good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and
         has the corporate power and authority to carry on its business as it
         is currently being conducted and to own, lease and operate its
         properties, and each is duly qualified and is in good standing as a
         foreign corporation authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in
         which the nature of its business or its ownership or leasing of
         property requires such qualification, except where the failure to be
         so qualified would not have a material adverse effect on the Company
         and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                 (iv)     Each partnership subsidiary of the Company has been
         duly formed, is validly existing as a partnership and, with respect to
         each limited partnership subsidiary of the Company, is in good
         standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation and has
         the requisite power and authority to carry on its business as it is
         currently being conducted and to own, lease and operate its
         properties, and each is duly qualified and is in good standing as a
         foreign partnership authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in
         which the nature of its business or the ownership or leasing of
         property requires such qualification, except where the failure to be
         so qualified would not have a material adverse effect on the Company
         and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                 (v)   All the outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other
         ownership interests in, each of the Company's subsidiaries have been
         duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
         nonassessable, and are owned by the Company or one of the Company's
         wholly owned subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest,
         claim, lien, encumbrance or adverse interest of any nature. Except as
         disclosed in the Prospectuses and except for the shares of capital
         stock of the Company's subsidiaries, neither the Company nor any
         corporate or partnership subsidiary owns or holds, directly or
         indirectly, a material number of shares of capital stock or any other
         securities of any corporation or has any material equity interest in
         any firm, partnership, association or other entity.





                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4
                 (vi)   The Company's authorized equity capitalization is as
         set forth in the Prospectuses; the capital stock of the Company
         conforms to the description thereof contained in the Prospectuses; the
         outstanding Securities (including the offered Securities being sold
         hereunder by the Selling Stockholders) have been duly and validly
         authorized and issued and are fully paid and nonassessable; the
         offered Securities being sold hereunder by the Company have been duly
         and validly authorized, and, when issued and delivered to and paid for
         by the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement, will be fully paid and
         nonassessable; the Securities being sold hereunder by the Company and
         the Selling Stockholders are duly authorized for listing, subject to
         official notice of issuance on the Nasdaq National Market; the
         certificates for the Securities are in valid and sufficient form; and
         the holders of outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are
         not entitled to preemptive or other rights to subscribe for the
         Securities.

                 (vii)    This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
         delivered by the Company.

                 (viii)   Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in
         violation of its respective charter or by-laws (or certificate of
         limited partnership or partnership agreement in the case of a
         partnership subsidiary) or is in default in the performance of any
         obligation, agreement or condition contained in any bond, debenture,
         note or any other evidence of indebtedness or in any other agreement,
         indenture or instrument material to the conduct of the business of the
         Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to which the Company
         or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its
         subsidiaries or their respective properties are bound or is in
         violation of any existing material law, order, rule or regulation of
         any court, governmental agency or body or any arbitrator, domestic or
         foreign, having jurisdiction over any of them or any of their
         properties.

                 (ix)     The execution, delivery and performance of this
         Agreement, compliance by the Company with all the provisions hereof
         and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not
         require any consent, approval, authorization or other order of any
         court, regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental
         body (except as such may be required under the securities or blue sky
         laws of the various states) and will not conflict with or constitute a
         breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or a default under, the
         charter or by-laws of the Company or the charter or by-laws (or
         certificate of limited partnership or partnership agreement in the
         case of a partnership subsidiary) of any of its subsidiaries or any
         agreement, indenture or other instrument to which the Company or any
         of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its
         subsidiaries or their respective properties are bound, or violate or
         conflict with any law, order, rule, regulation, judgment, ruling or
         decree applicable to the Company, any of its subsidiaries or their
         respective property.

                 (x)      Except as disclosed in the Prospectuses, there are no
         material arbitration or legal or governmental actions, suits or
         proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
         a party or of which any of their respective property is the subject,
         and, to the best of the Company's knowledge, no such arbitrations,
         actions, suits or proceedings are threatened or contemplated.  No
         contract or document of a character required to be described in the
         Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit
         to the Registration Statement is not so described or filed as
         required.

                 (xi)     Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has
         violated any foreign, federal, state or local law or regulation
         (including, without limitation, laws and regulations related to notice
         requirements) relating to the protection of human health and safety,
         the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants
         or contaminants ("Environmental Laws"), nor any federal or state law
         relating to discrimination in the hiring, promotion or pay of
         employees nor any applicable federal or state wages and hours laws,
         nor any provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
         1974, as amended, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder,
         which in each case might result in any material adverse change in the
         business, prospects, financial condition or results of operation of
         the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.  With respect to
         Environmental Laws, the Company has reasonably concluded that costs
         and liabilities associated with any violations of such laws by the
         Company or its subsidiaries would not, singly or in the aggregate,
         have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries,
         taken as a whole.





                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5
                 (xii)    Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has such
         permits, certificates, licenses, franchises and authorizations of
         governmental or regulatory authorities ("permits"), including, without
         limitation, under any applicable Environmental Laws, as are necessary
         to own, lease and operate its respective properties and to conduct its
         business, except such permits the absence of which would not, singly
         or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company and
         its subsidiaries taken as a whole; the Company and each of its
         subsidiaries has fulfilled and performed all of its material
         obligations with respect to such permits and no event has occurred
         which allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation
         or termination thereof or results in any other material impairment of
         the rights of the holder of any such permit; and, except as described
         in the Prospectuses, such permits contain no restrictions that are
         materially burdensome to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

                 (xiii)   Except as otherwise set forth in the Prospectuses or
         such as are not material to the business, prospects, financial
         condition or results of operation of the Company and its subsidiaries,
         taken as a whole, the Company and each of its subsidiaries have good
         and valid title (subject to the liens on such assets described in
         Appendix 1(a)(xiv) hereto) to all property and assets described in the
         Registration Statement as being owned by it, free and clear of all
         liens, encumbrances, claims, security interests, subleases and
         defects.  All leases to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries
         is a party are valid, subsisting and enforceable, and no default has
         occurred or is continuing thereunder that might result in any material
         adverse change in the business, prospects, financial condition or
         results of operation of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
         whole; and the Company and its subsidiaries enjoy peaceful and
         undisturbed possession under all such leases to which any of them is a
         party as lessee with such exceptions as do not materially interfere
         with the use made and proposed to be made by the Company or such
         subsidiary.

                 (xiv)    Each of the Company and its subsidiaries maintain
         reasonably adequate insurance in accordance with industry practice;
         and all of such insurance is outstanding and duly in force on the
         Execution Date and will be outstanding and duly in force on the
         Closing Date.

                 (xv)     Arthur Andersen LLP are independent public
         accountants with respect to the Company as required by the Act and the
         Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended, the "Exchange Act")
         and the rules and regulations thereunder.

                 (xvi)    The financial statements, together with related
         schedules and notes forming part of the Registration Statement and the
         Prospectuses (and any amendment or supplement thereto), present fairly
         the consolidated financial position, results of operations and changes
         in financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries on the basis
         stated in the Registration Statement at the respective dates or for
         the respective periods to which they apply; such statements and
         related schedules and notes have been prepared in accordance with
         generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied
         throughout the periods involved, except as disclosed therein; and the
         other financial and statistical information and data set forth in the
         Registration Statement and the Prospectuses (and any amendment or
         supplement thereto) is, in all material respects, accurately presented
         and prepared on a basis consistent with such financial statements and
         the books and records of the Company.

                 (xvii)   There are no persons with registration or other
         similar rights to have any securities registered pursuant to the
         Registration Statement or the Act or to participate in the offering of
         Securities contemplated by this Agreement, except such as have been
         waived in writing or complied with by the inclusion of such securities
         in the Registration Statement.

                 (xviii)  The Company and its subsidiaries have complied with
         all provisions of Section 1 of Laws of Florida, Chapter 92-198.

                 (xix)    None of the Company or its subsidiaries is (A) an
         "investment company" or a company "controlled" by an "investment
         company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as





                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6
         amended (the "Investment Company Act"), or analogous foreign laws and
         regulations, or (B) a "holding company" or a "subsidiary company" or
         an "affiliate" of a holding company within the meaning of the Public
         Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended, or analogous foreign
         laws and regulations.

                 (xx)     There are no outstanding subscriptions, rights,
         warrants, options, calls, convertible securities, commitments of sale
         or liens related to or entitling any person to purchase or otherwise
         to acquire any shares of the capital stock of, or other ownership
         interest in, the Company or any subsidiary thereof except as otherwise
         disclosed in the Registration Statement or as disclosed on Appendix
         2(a)(xxi) hereto.

                 (xxi)    Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, there are no
         business relationships or related party transactions required to be
         disclosed therein by Item 404 of Regulation S-K of the Commission.

                 (xxii)   Each of the Company and its subsidiaries maintains a
         system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide
         reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance
         with management's general or specific authorizations; (ii)
         transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of
         financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting
         principles and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to
         assets is permitted only in accordance with management's general or
         specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for
         assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals
         and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

                 (xxiii)  All material tax returns required to be filed by the
         Company and each of its subsidiaries in any jurisdiction have been
         filed, other than those filings being contested in good faith, and all
         material taxes, including withholding taxes, penalties and interest,
         assessments, fees and other charges due pursuant to such returns or
         pursuant to any assessment received by the Company or any of its
         subsidiaries have been paid, other than those being contested in good
         faith and for which adequate reserves have been provided.

                 (xxiv)   Subsequent to the respective dates as of which
         information is given in the Prospectuses and up to the date and time
         this Agreement is executed and delivered by the parties hereto (the
         "Execution Time"), except as set forth in the Prospectuses, (i) none
         of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has incurred any liabilities
         or obligations, direct or contingent, which are material to the
         Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, nor entered into any
         material transaction whether or not in the ordinary course of
         business, (ii) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind
         declared, paid or made by the Company on its shares of capital stock,
         and (iii) there has not been, singly or in the aggregate, any material
         adverse change or any development which may reasonably be expected to
         involve a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries,
         taken as a whole.

                 (xxv)    The Company is deemed a citizen of the United States
         as determined pursuant to Section 2 of the Shipping Act, 1916, as
         amended, and the beneficial ownership of the Company's capital stock
         by foreign persons or entities as of the date of the Prospectuses does
         not violate the Shipping Act, 1916 or the Company's certificate of
         incorporation.

                 (xxvi)   Except as disclosed in the Prospectuses, there are no
         contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company, any
         Selling Stockholder and any person that would give rise to a valid
         claim against the Company or any Underwriter for a brokerage
         commission, finders fee or other like payments in connection       
         with this offering.

        (b)   Each Selling Stockholder represents and warrants to, and agrees
with, each Underwriter that:

                 (i)      Such Selling Stockholder is the lawful owner of the
         Securities to be sold by such Selling Stockholder hereunder, and upon
         sale and delivery of, and payment for, such Securities, as provided
         herein, such Selling Stockholder will convey good and marketable title
         to such Securities, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances,
         equities and claims whatsoever.





                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7
                 (ii)     Such Selling Stockholder has no reason to believe
         that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in
         this Section 2 are not true and correct; and the sale of Securities by
         such Selling Stockholder pursuant hereto is not prompted by any
         information concerning the Company or any of its subsidiaries which is
         not, to such Selling Stockholder's knowledge, publicly available
         information.

                 (iii)    Such Selling Stockholder has not taken and will not
         take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or which has
         constituted or which might reasonably be expected to cause or result
         in, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation
         of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or
         resale of the offered Securities.

                 (iv)     Upon delivery of payment for the Securities to be
         sold by such Selling Stockholder and after delivery of such securities
         by such Selling Stockholder, in accordance with this Agreement, good
         and clear title to such Securities will pass to the Underwriters, free
         of all restrictions on transfers, liens, encumbrances, securities
         interests and claims whatsoever.

                 (v)      Such Selling Stockholder has, and on the Closing Date
         will have, full legal rights, power and authority to enter into (a)
         this Agreement, (b) the Custody Agreement between the Selling
         Stockholder and the Company, as Custodian (the "Custody Agreement"),
         and (c) the Selling Stockholder's Irrevocable Power of Attorney
         appointing Steven A. Webster and Robert F. Fulton as
         attorneys-in-fact for such Selling Stockholder (the "Power of
         Attorney"), and to sell, assign, transfer and deliver the Securities
         to be sold by such Selling Stockholder in the manner provided herein
         and therein, and this Agreement, the Custody Agreement and the Power
         of Attorney have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such
         Selling Stockholder and each of this Agreement, the Custody Agreement
         and the Power of Attorney is a valid and binding agreement of such
         Selling Stockholder enforceable in accordance with its terms, except
         as rights to indemnity and contribution hereunder may be limited by
         applicable law.

                 (vi)     The execution, delivery and performance of this
         Agreement, the Custody Agreement and the Power of Attorney by such
         Selling Stockholder, compliance by such Selling Stockholder with all
         the provisions hereof and thereof and the consummation of the
         transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not require any
         consent, approval, authorization or other order of any court,
         regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental body
         (except as such may be required under the Act, state securities laws
         or blue sky laws) and will not conflict with or constitute a breach of
         any of the terms or provisions of, or a default under, organizational
         documents of such Selling Stockholder, if not an individual, or any
         agreement, indenture or other instrument to which such Selling
         Stockholder is a party or by which such Selling Stockholder or
         property of such Selling Stockholder is bound, or violate or conflict
         with any laws, administrative regulation or ruling or court decree
         applicable to such Selling Stockholder or property of such Selling
         Stockholder.

                 (vii)    The information contained in the Prospectuses
         specifically relating to such Selling Stockholder does not, and will
         not on the Closing Date (and any Option Closing Date, if applicable),
         contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
         material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
         statements therein, in light of circumstances under which they were
         made, not misleading.

                 (viii)   Except as disclosed in the Prospectuses, there are no
         contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company, any
         Selling Stockholder and any person that would give rise to a valid
         claim against the Company or any Underwriter for a brokerage
         commission, finders fee or other like payments in connection       
         with this offering.

         3.      Purchase, Sale and Delivery of Offered Securities.  On the
basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, but
subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company and each
Selling Stockholder agrees to sell to the Underwriters, and the Underwriters
agree, severally and not jointly, to purchase from





                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8
the Company, at a purchase price of U.S.$           per share the respective
numbers of U.S. Firm Securities set forth opposite the names of the
Underwriters in Schedule A hereto.
        
         The Company and each Selling Stockholder will deliver the U.S. Firm
Securities to the Representatives for the accounts of the Underwriters, at the
office of                           , against payment of the purchase price in
immediately available funds drawn to the order of                         at
the office of                  , at A.M., New York time, on              , 
or at such other time not later than seven full business days thereafter
as CS First Boston Corporation ("CSFBC") and the Company determine, (such time
being herein referred to as the "First Closing Date").  For purposes of Rule
15c6-1 under the Exchange Act, the First Closing Date (if later than the
otherwise applicable settlement date) shall be the settlement date for payment
of funds and delivery of securities for all the Offered Securities sold
pursuant to the U.S. Offering and the International Offering.  The certificates
for the U.S.  Firm Securities so to be delivered will be in definitive form, in
such denominations and registered in such names as CSFBC requests and will be
made available for checking and packaging at the above office of              ,
at least 24 hours prior to the First Closing Date.

         In addition, upon written notice from CSFBC given to the Company from
time to time not more than 30 days subsequent to the date of the Prospectuses,
the Underwriters may purchase all or less than all of the U.S. Optional
Securities at the purchase price per Security to be paid for the U.S. Firm
Securities.  The U.S. Optional Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters
on any Optional Closing Date shall be in the same proportion to all the
Optional Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters and the Managers on
such Optional Closing Date as the U.S. Firm Securities bear to all the Firm
Securities.  The Company and each Selling Stockholder agree to sell to the
Underwriters such U.S. Optional Securities and the Underwriters agree,
severally and not jointly, to purchase such U.S. Optional Securities.  Such
U.S. Optional Securities shall be purchased for the account of each Underwriter
in the same proportion as the number of shares of U.S. Firm Securities set
forth opposite such Underwriter's name bears to the total number of shares of
U.S. Firm Securities (subject to adjustment by CSFBC to eliminate fractions)
and may be purchased by the Underwriters only for the purpose of covering
over-allotments made in connection with the sale of the U.S. Firm Securities.
No Optional Securities shall be sold or delivered unless the U.S. Firm
Securities and the International Firm Securities previously have been, or
simultaneously are, sold and delivered.  The right to purchase the Optional
Securities or any portion thereof may be exercised from time to time and to the
extent not previously exercised may be surrendered and terminated at any time
upon notice by CSFBC on behalf of Underwriters and the Managers to the Company.
It is understood that CSFBC is authorized to make payment for and accept
delivery of such Optional Securities on behalf of the Underwriters and Managers
pursuant to the terms of CSFBC's instructions to the Company.

         Each time for the delivery of and payment for the U.S. Optional
Securities, being herein referred to as an "Optional Closing Date", which may
be the First Closing Date (the First Closing Date and each Optional Closing
Date, if any, being sometimes referred to as a "Closing Date"), shall be
determined by CSFBC but shall be not later than five full business days after
written notice of election to purchase Optional Securities is given.  The
Company and each Selling Stockholder will deliver the U.S. Optional Securities
being purchased on each Optional Closing Date to the Representatives for the
accounts of the several Underwriters, at the office of                     ,
against payment of the purchase price in immediately available funds drawn to
the order of             , at the above office of
            .  The certificates for the U.S. Optional Securities will be in
definitive form, in such denominations and registered in such names as CSFBC
requests upon reasonable notice prior to such Optional Closing Date and will be
made available for checking and packaging at the above office of              ,
at a reasonable time in advance of such Optional Closing Date.

         4.      Offering by Underwriters.  It is understood that the several
Underwriters propose to offer the U.S. Securities for sale to the public as
set forth in the U.S. Prospectus.

         5.      Certain Agreements of the Company and the Selling
Stockholders.  The Company agrees with the several Underwriters and the Selling
Stockholders that:

                 (i)      The Company will use its best efforts to cause the
         Registration Statement, if not effective at the Execution Time, and
         any amendment thereof, to become effective.  Prior to the termination
         of the





                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9
         offering of the Securities, the Company will not file any amendment of
         the Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectuses unless
         the Company has furnished you a copy for your review prior to filing
         and will not file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which
         you object.  Subject to the foregoing sentence, if the Registration
         Statement has become or becomes effective pursuant to Rule 430A, or
         filing of the Prospectuses is otherwise required under Rule 424(b),
         the Company will cause the Prospectuses, properly completed, and any
         supplement thereto to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the
         applicable paragraph of Rule 424(b) within the time period prescribed
         and will provide evidence satisfactory to the Representatives of such
         timely filing.  The Company will promptly advise the Representatives
         (A) when the Registration Statement, if not effective at the Execution
         Time, and any amendment thereto, shall have become effective, (B) when
         the Prospectuses, and any supplement thereto, shall have been filed
         (if required) with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b), (C) when,
         prior to termination of the offering of the Securities, any amendment
         to the Registration Statement shall have been filed or become
         effective, (D) of any request by the Commission for any amendment of
         the Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectuses or for
         any additional information, (E) of the issuance by the Commission of
         any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
         Statement or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for that
         purpose and (F) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with
         respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for
         sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any
         proceeding for such purpose.  The Company will use its best efforts to
         prevent the issuance of any such stop order and, if issued, to obtain
         as soon as possible the withdrawal thereof.

                 (ii)     If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the
         Securities is required to be delivered under the Act, any event occurs
         as a result of which the Prospectus as then supplemented would include
         any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
         fact necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the
         circumstances under which they were made not misleading, or if it
         shall be necessary to amend the Registration Statement or supplement
         the Prospectus to comply with the Act or the Exchange Act or the
         respective rules thereunder, the Company promptly will (x) prepare and
         file with the Commission, subject to the second sentence of paragraph
         (a) of this Section 5, an amendment or supplement which will correct
         such statement or omission or effect such compliance and (y) supply
         any supplemented Prospectuses to you in such quantities as you may
         reasonably request.  Neither CSFBC's consent nor the Underwriter's
         deliver of such amendment or supplement shall constitute a waiver of
         any of the conditions set forth in Section 6 hereof.

                 (iii)    As soon as practicable, the Company will make
         generally available to its security holders and to the Representatives
         and will file with the Commission an earnings statement or statements
         of the Company and its subsidiaries which will satisfy the provisions
         of Section 11(a) of the Act and Rule 158 under the Act.

                 (iv)     The Company will furnish to the Representatives and
         counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, signed copies of the
         Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto) and to each other
         Underwriter a copy of the Registration Statement (without exhibits
         thereto) and, so long as delivery of a prospectus by an Underwriter or
         dealer may be required by the Act, as many copies of each Prospectus
         and any supplement thereto as the Representatives may reasonably
         request.  The Company will pay the expenses of printing or other
         production of all documents relating to the offering.

                 (v)      The Company will arrange for the qualification of the
         Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as the
         Representatives may designate, will maintain such qualifications in
         effect so long as required for the distribution of the Securities;
         provided, however, that the Company will not be obligated to qualify
         as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction in which it is not
         qualified.  The Company will pay the fee of the National Association
         of Securities Dealers, Inc., in connection with its review of the
         offering.

                 (vi)     The Company and the Selling Stockholders will not, 
         for a period of 180 days and 90 days, respectively, following the 
         Execution Time, without the prior written consent of CSFBC, offer, 
         sell or contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of, directly or 
         indirectly, or announce the offering of, any Securities or any 
         securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, Securities





                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10
       other than the sale of Securities to the Underwriters pursuant to this
       Agreement; provided, however, that the Company may issue and sell
       Securities pursuant to any employee stock option plan, stock ownership
       plan or dividend reinvestment plan of the Company in effect at the
       Execution Time and the Company may issue Securities upon the conversion
       of securities or the exercise of warrants or options outstanding at the
       Execution Time; and provided further, that the Company may issue
       Securities, pursuant to the Company's agreement to acquire the drillships
       Deepsea Ice and Deepsea Duchess, the aggregate market value of which
       shall not exceed $15 million based on the average closing price of the
       Securities on the Nasdaq Stock Market for the five trading days prior
       to the date of the closing of such acquisition.

              (vii)  Each Selling Stockholder will deliver to CSFBC, attention:
       Transactions Advisory Group on or prior to the First Closing Date a
       properly completed and executed United States Treasury Department Form
       W-9 (or other applicable form or statement specified by Treasury
       Department regulations in lieu thereof).

       6.     Conditions of the Obligations of the Underwriters.  The
obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the U.S. Firm
Securities on the First Closing Date and the U.S. Optional Securities to be
purchased on each Optional Closing Date will be subject to the accuracy of the
representations and warranties on the part of the Company and the Selling
Stockholders herein, to the accuracy of the statements of Company officers made
pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company and the
Selling Stockholders of its obligations hereunder and to the following
additional conditions precedent:

       (a)    If the Registration Statement has not become effective prior to
the Execution Time, unless the Representatives agree in writing to a later
time, the Registration Statement will become effective not later than (i) 6:00
PM New York City time on the date of determination of the public offering
price, if such determination occurred at or prior to 3:00 PM New York City time
on such date or (ii) 12:00 Noon on the business day following the day on which
the public offering price was determined, if such determination occurred after
3:00 PM New York City time on such date; if filing of the Prospectus, or any
supplement thereto is required pursuant to Rule 424(b), the Prospectuses and
any such supplement, will be filed in the manner and within the time period
required by Rule 424(b); and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement shall have been issued and no proceedings for that
purpose shall have been instituted or threatened; if filing of an additional
registration statement or a post-effective amendment to the Registration
Statement shall be made pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Act, such filing
shall occur in the manner provided in Rule 462.

       (b)    The Company shall have furnished to the Representatives the
opinion of Parson & Brown, counsel for the Company and certain of the Selling
Stockholders, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that;

              (i)    The Company and each of its subsidiaries has been duly
       incorporated (or formed in the case of a partnership subsidiary), is
       validly existing as a corporation or partnership, as the case may be, in
       good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or
       formation and has the corporate or partnership power and authority
       required to carry on its business as described in the Prospectuses and
       to own, lease and operate its properties, and is duly qualified to do
       business as a foreign corporation or partnership, as the case may be,
       and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction which
       requires such qualification wherein it owns or leases material
       properties or conducts material business;

              (ii)   All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of, or
       other ownership interests in, each of the Company's subsidiaries have
       been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and
       non-assessable and are owned by the Company either directly or through
       wholly owned subsidiaries free and clear of any perfected security
       interest and, to the knowledge of such counsel, after due inquiry, any
       other security interest, claim, lien or encumbrance;

              (iii)  The Company's authorized equity capitalization is as set
       forth in the Prospectuses; the capital stock of the Company conforms to
       the description thereof contained in the Prospectuses; the outstanding
       shares of Securities (including the Securities to be sold by each of the
       Selling Stockholders) have been duly authorized and validly issued and
       are fully paid, non-assessable and not subject to any preemptive or
       similar rights; the Securities to be issued and sold by the Company
       hereunder have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered to
       the Underwriters against payment therefor as provided by this Agreement,
       will be fully paid and





                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11
       non-assessable, and the issuance of such Securities is not subject to
       any preemptive or similar rights; and the certificates for the
       Securities are in valid and sufficient  form;

              (iv)   This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
       delivered by the Company and each of the Selling Stockholders and is a
       valid and binding agreement of the Company and each of the Selling
       Stockholders, enforceable in accordance with its terms (except as rights
       to indemnity and contribution hereunder may be limited by applicable
       law);

              (v)    The statements under the captions "Risk Factors -
       Environmental Matters," "Risk Factors - Restrictions on Foreign
       Ownership," and "Selling Stockholders" in the Prospectuses and in Item
       15 of Part II of the Registration Statement, insofar as such statements
       constitute a summary of legal matters, regulations, documents or
       proceedings referred to therein, provide a fair summary of such legal
       matters, regulations, documents and proceedings;

              (vi)   The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
       by the Company and each Selling Stockholder, compliance by the Company
       and each Selling Stockholder with the provisions hereof and the
       consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not require any
       consent, approval, authorization or other order of any court, regulatory
       body, administrative agency or other governmental body (except as such
       may be required under the Act or other securities or blue sky laws) and
       do not constitute a breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or a
       default under, the charter or by-laws or certificate or agreement of
       limited partnership, as the case may be, of the Company or any of its
       subsidiaries or any of the organizational documents of any of the
       Selling Stockholders or any agreement, indenture or other instrument
       known to us to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of
       the Selling Stockholders is a party or by which the Company or any of
       its subsidiaries or any of the Selling Stockholders or their respective
       properties are bound, or violate or conflict with any laws,
       administrative regulations or rulings or court decrees known to us to be
       applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of the
       Selling Stockholders or any of their respective properties;

              (vii)  Such counsel does not know of any legal or governmental
       action, suit or proceeding pending or threatened before any court or
       governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator to which the
       Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of their
       respective property is subject which is required to be described in the
       Registration Statement or the Prospectuses and is not so described, or
       of any contract or other document which is required to be described in
       the Registration Statement or the Prospectuses or to be filed as an
       exhibit to the Registration Statement and is not so described or filed
       as required;

              (viii) None of the Company or its subsidiaries is (A) an
       "investment company" or a company "controlled" by an "investment
       company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
       amended (the "Investment Company Act") or (B) a "holding company" or a
       "subsidiary company" or an "affiliate" of a holding company within the
       meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended;

              (ix)   (1) the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses and
       any supplement or amendment thereto (except for financial statements as
       to which no opinion need be expressed) comply as to form in all material
       respects with the Act and the Exchange Act and the respective rules
       thereunder, and (2) nothing has come to the attention of such counsel
       that causes such counsel to believe that (except for financial
       statements, as aforesaid) the Registration Statement and the
       prospectuses included therein at the time the Registration Statement
       became effective contained any untrue statement of a material fact or
       omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
       necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or that the
       Prospectuses as of the Closing Date, as amended or supplemented, if
       applicable (except for financial statements, as aforesaid) contains any
       untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact
       necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
       circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;





                                      -11-
<PAGE>   12
        
              (x)    A Custody Agreement and a Power of Attorney have each been
       duly authorized, executed and delivered by each Selling Stockholder and
       are each a valid and binding agreement of each Selling Stockholder
       enforceable in accordance with its terms;
        
              (xi)   Each of the Selling Stockholders has received any approval
       required by law (other than any approval imposed by the applicable state
       securities and blue sky laws) to sell, assign, transfer and deliver the
       Securities to be sold by it in the manner provided in this Agreement,
       the Custody Agreement and the Power of Attorney, and each of the Selling
       Stockholders that is a corporation or partnership has full corporate or
       partnership power and authority, as the case may be, to so sell, assign,
       transfer and deliver the Securities;

              (xii)  To such counsel's knowledge, there are no persons with
       registration or other similar rights to have any securities registered
       pursuant to the Registration Statement or under the Act or to
       participate in the offering of the Securities contemplated by this
       Agreement, except such as have been waived or complied with by inclusion
       of such persons as Selling Stockholders in the Registration Statement;

              (xiii) Each of the Selling Stockholders has good and clear title
       to the certificates for the Securities to be sold by it and assuming
       that the Underwriters acquired their interest in the Securities in good
       faith and without notice of any adverse claim, and upon delivery
       thereof, pursuant hereto and payment therefor, good and clear title will
       pass to the Underwriters, severally, free of all restrictions on
       transfers, liens, encumbrances, security interests and claims
       whatsoever;

              (xiv)  The Company is deemed a citizen of the United States as
       determined pursuant to Section 2 of the Shipping Act, 1916, as amended,
       and the beneficial ownership of the Company's capital stock by foreign
       persons or entities as of the date of the Prospectuses does not violate
       the Shipping Act, 1916 or the Company's certificate of incorporation.

In giving such opinion with respect to matters covered by clause (ix), such
counsel may state that their belief is based upon their participation in the
preparation of the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses and review and
discussion of the contents thereof, but is without independent check or
verification.  In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely as to matters
of fact, to the extent they deem proper, on certificates of responsible
officers of the Company and the Selling Stockholders and public officials.
References to the Registration Statement and Prospectuses in this paragraph (b)
include any amendments or supplements thereto at the Closing Date.

       (c)    The Representatives shall have received from                    ,
counsel to certain of the Selling Stockholders, an opinion with respect to
such Stockholders  covering the matters described in paragraphs (b)(vi), (x),
(xi) and (xiii) above.

       (d)    The Representatives shall have received from Andrews & Kurth
L.L.P., counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated the
Closing Date, with respect to the issuance and sale of the Securities, the
Registration Statement, the Prospectuses (together with any supplement thereto)
and other related matters as the Representatives may reasonably require, and
the Company and each Selling Stockholder shall have furnished to such counsel
such documents as they request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon
such matters.

       (e)    The Company shall have furnished to the Representatives a
certificate of the Company, signed by the Chairman of the Board or the
President and the principal financial or accounting officer of the Company,
dated the Closing Date, to the effect that such officers have carefully
examined the Registration Statement, the Prospectuses, any supplements to the
Prospectuses and this Agreement and that:

              (i)    The  representations and warranties of the Company in this
       Agreement are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the
       Closing Date with the same effect as if made on the Closing Date and the
       Company has complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the
       conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the
       Closing Date;





                                      -12-
<PAGE>   13
              (ii)   No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
       Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that
       purpose have been instituted or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened;
       and

              (iii)  Since the date of the most recent financial statements
       included in the Prospectuses, there has been no material adverse change
       in the condition (financial or other), earnings, business, properties or
       prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, whether or not arising
       from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set
       forth in or contemplated in the Prospectuses.

       (f)    Each Selling Stockholder shall have furnished to the
Representatives a certificate, signed by or on behalf of such Selling
Stockholder dated the Closing Date, to the effect that the signer of such
certificate has carefully examined the Registration Statement, the
Prospectuses, any supplement to the Prospectuses and this Agreement and that
the representations and warranties of such Selling Stockholder in this
Agreement are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the
Closing Date to the same effect as if made on the Closing Date.

       (g)    At the Execution Time and at the Closing Date, Arthur Andersen
LLP shall have furnished to the Representatives a letter or letters, dated
respectively as of the Execution Time and as of the Closing Date, in form and
substance satisfactory to the Representatives, confirming that they are
independent accountants within the meaning of the Act and the Exchange Act and
the respective applicable published rules and regulations thereunder and
stating in effect that:

              (i)    in their opinion the audited financial statements and
       financial statement schedules included and incorporated by reference  in
       the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses and reported on by them
       comply in form in all material respects with the applicable accounting
       requirements of the Act and the Exchange Act and the related published
       rules and regulations;

              (ii)   on the basis of a reading of the latest unaudited
       financial statements made available by the Company and its subsidiaries;
       carrying out certain specified procedures as described in Statement on
       Auditing Standards No. 71 (but not an audit in accordance with generally
       accepted auditing standards); a reading of the minutes of the meetings
       of the stockholders, directors and committees of the Company and  its
       subsidiaries; and inquiries of certain officials of the Company who have
       responsibility for financial and accounting matters of the Company and
       its subsidiaries as to transactions and events subsequent to December
       31, 1995, nothing came to their attention which caused them to believe
       that:

                     (1)    any unaudited financial statements included or
              incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the
              Prospectuses do not comply in form in all material respects with
              applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the Exchange
              Act and with the published rules and regulations of the
              Commission with respect to registration statements on Form S-3;
              and said unaudited financial statements are not in conformity
              with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a basis
              substantially consistent with that of the audited financial
              statements included or incorporated by reference in the
              Registration Statement and the Prospectuses; or

                     (2)    with respect to the period subsequent to September
              30, 1996, there were any changes, at a specified date not more
              than two business days prior to the date of the letter, in the
              long-term debt and other obligations of the Company and its
              subsidiaries or capital stock of the Company, decreases in the
              stockholders' equity of the Company, decreases in working capital
              of the Company and its subsidiaries as compared with the amounts
              shown on the September 30, 1996 consolidated balance sheet
              included and incorporated by reference in the Registration
              Statement and the Prospectus, or for the period from September
              30, 1996 to such specified date there were any decreases, as
              compared with the corresponding period in the preceding year in
              operating revenues or income before income taxes and minority
              interest or preferred stock dividends and accretion or in total
              or per share amounts of net income of the Company and its
              subsidiaries, except in all instances for changes or decreases
              set forth in such letter, in which case





                                      -13-
<PAGE>   14
              the letter shall be accompanied by an explanation by the Company
              as to the significance thereof unless said explanation is not
              deemed necessary by the Representatives;
        
              (iii)  they have performed certain other specified procedures as
       a result of which they determined that certain information of an
       accounting, financial or statistical nature set forth in the
       Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, including the information
       set forth under the captions "Prospectus Summary," "Capitalization,"
       "Selected Historical Financial Data," "Management's Discussion and
       Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"  and
       "Business" in the Prospectuses, and the information included or
       incorporated by reference in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K,
       incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the
       Prospectuses, and the information included in "Management's Discussion
       and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included
       in the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, incorporated by
       reference in the Registration Statement and Prospectuses, in each case
       agrees with the accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries,
       excluding any questions of legal interpretation; or

              (iv)   on the basis of a reading of the unaudited pro forma
       financial statements included or incorporated in the Registration
       Statement and the Prospectuses (the "pro forma financial statements");
       carrying out certain specified procedures; inquiries of certain
       officials of the Company and of the acquired entities named in such pro
       forma financial statements who have responsibilities for financial and
       accounting matters; and proving the arithmetic accuracy of the
       application of the pro forma adjustments to the historical amounts in
       the pro forma financial statements, nothing came to their attention
       which caused them to believe that the pro forma financial statements do
       not comply in form in all material respects with the applicable
       accounting requirements of Rule 11-02 of Regulation S-X or that the pro
       forma adjustments have not been properly applied to the historical
       amounts in the compilation of such statements.

References to the Prospectuses in this paragraph (g) include any supplement
thereto at the date of the letter.

       (h)     Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
there shall not have occurred (i) any change, or any development or event
involving a prospective change, in the condition (financial or other),
business, properties or results of operations of the Company or its
subsidiaries which, in the judgment of a majority in interest of the
Underwriters including the Representatives, is material and adverse and makes
it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with completion of the public offering
or the sale of and payment for the Offered Securities; (ii) any downgrading in
the rating of any debt securities of the Company by any "nationally recognized
statistical rating organization" (as defined for purposes of Rule 436(g) under
the Act), or any public announcement that any such organization has under
surveillance or review its rating of any debt securities of the Company (other
than an announcement with positive implications of a possible upgrading, and no
implication of a possible downgrading, of such rating); (iii) any suspension or
limitation of trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange,
or any setting of minimum prices for trading on such exchange, or any
suspension of trading of any securities of the Company on any exchange or in
the over-the-counter market; (iv) any banking moratorium declared by U.S.
Federal or New York  authorities; or (v) any outbreak or escalation of major
hostilities in which the United States  is involved, any declaration of war by
Congress or any other substantial national or international calamity or
emergency if, in the judgment of a majority in interest of the Underwriters
including the Representatives, the effect of any such outbreak, escalation,
declaration, calamity or emergency makes it impractical or inadvisable to
proceed with completion of the public offering or the sale of and payment for
the Offered Securities.

       (i)    At the Execution Time, the Company shall have furnished to the
Representatives a letter substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto from
S-C Rig Investments, L.P., its partners and affiliates, addressed to the 
Representatives, in which each such person agrees not to offer, sell or 
contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, or 
announce an offering of, any Securities beneficially owned by such person 
or any securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, Securities for 
a period of 180 days following the Execution Time without the prior written 
consent of CSFBC.





                                      -14-
<PAGE>   15
        (j)    Prior to the Closing Date, the Company and each Selling
Stockholder shall have furnished to the Representatives such further
information, certificates and documents as the Representatives may reasonably
request.

If any of the conditions specified in this Section 6 shall not have been
fulfilled in all material respects when and as provided in this Agreement, or
if any of the opinions and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this
Agreement shall not be in all material respects reasonably satisfactory in form
and substance to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, this
Agreement and all obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be canceled at,
or at any time prior to, the Closing Date by the Representatives.  Notice of
such cancellation shall be given to the Company and each Selling Stockholder in
writing or by telephone or telegraph confirmed in writing.

The documents required to be delivered by this Section 6 shall be delivered at
the office of Parson & Brown, counsel for the Company, in New York, New York,
on the Closing Date.

       7.     Indemnification and Contribution.  (a)  The Company will
indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter against any losses, claims,
damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which such Underwriter may become
subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in
any Registration Statement, either of the Prospectuses, or any amendment or
supplement thereto, or any related preliminary prospectus, or arise out of or
are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, and will reimburse each Underwriter for any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriter in connection with
investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as
such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the Company will not be
liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or
liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement in or omission or alleged omission from any of such documents in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use
therein, it being understood and agreed that the only information furnished by
any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in subsection (c)
below.

       (b)    Each Selling Stockholder agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
each Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments caused by
any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained or
incorporated in the Registration Statement or the Prospectuses (as amended or
supplemented) or any preliminary prospectus or caused by any omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only with 
reference to information specifically relating to each Selling Stockholder.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate liability of each Selling
Stockholder pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph shall be limited to an
amount equal to the aggregate purchase price received by each Selling
Stockholder from the sale of each Selling Stockholder's Securities and any
Optional Securities sold by each Selling Stockholder hereunder.

       (c)    Each Underwriter will severally and not jointly indemnify and
hold harmless the Company and each Selling Stockholder against any losses,
claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company and each Selling
Stockholder may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise
out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of
any material fact contained in any Registration Statement, either of the
Prospectuses, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any related
preliminary prospectus, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the
extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such
Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use therein, and will
reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably





                                      -15-
<PAGE>   16
incurred by the Company in connection with investigating or defending any such
loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred, it
being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any
Underwriter consists of (i) the following information in the U.S. Prospectus
furnished on behalf of each Underwriter: the last paragraph at the bottom of
the cover page concerning the terms of the offering by the Underwriters, the
legend concerning over-allotments, stabilizing and passive market making on the
inside front cover page, the concession and reallowance figures appearing in
the fifth paragraph under the caption "Underwriting" and the information
contained in the twelfth paragraph under the caption "Underwriting" and (ii)
the following information in the U.S. Prospectus furnished on behalf of
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, Salomon Brothers Inc and
Simmons & Company International concerning the receipt of fees in prior
offerings in the eleventh paragraph under the caption "Underwriting."

       (d)    Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section
of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a
claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under
subsection (a), (b) or (c) above, notify the indemnifying party of the
commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will
not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party
otherwise than under subsection (a), (b) or (c) above.  In case any such action
is brought against any indemnified party and it notifies the indemnifying party
of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to
participate therein and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other
indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with
counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with the
consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and
after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its
election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be
liable to such indemnified party under this Section for any legal or other
expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the
defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.  No indemnifying
party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect
any settlement of any pending or threatened action in respect of which any
indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been
sought hereunder by such indemnified party unless such settlement includes an
unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on any
claims that are the subject matter of such action.

       (e)    If the indemnification provided for in this Section is
unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under
subsection (a), (b) or (c) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute
to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of the
losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in subsection (a), (b) or
(c) above (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
benefits received by the Company and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand
and the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the U.S.  Securities or
(ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by
applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the
relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault
of the Company and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand and the
Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which
resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities as well as any other
relevant equitable considerations.  The relative benefits received by the
Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be
in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering of the U.S.
Securities (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the Selling
Stockholders bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions received
by the Underwriters.  The relative fault shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact
relates to information supplied by the Company, the Selling Stockholders or the
Underwriters and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information
and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission.  The
amount paid by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages
or liabilities referred to in the first sentence of this subsection (e) shall
be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such
indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any action or
claim which is the subject of this subsection (e).  Notwithstanding the
provisions of this subsection (e), no Underwriter shall be required to
contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which
the U.S. Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were
offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter
has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission.  No person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be
entitled to contribution from





                                      -16-
<PAGE>   17
any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  The
Underwriters' obligations in this subsection (e) to contribute are several in
proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.

       (f)    The obligations of the Company and the Selling Stockholders under
this Section shall be in addition to any liability which the Company and the
Selling Stockholders may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms
and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the
meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the Underwriters under this Section
shall be in addition to any liability which the respective Underwriters may
otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each
director of the Company, to each officer of the Company who has signed a
Registration Statement and to each person, if any, who controls the Company
within the meaning of the Act.

       8.     Default of Underwriters.  If any Underwriter or Underwriters
default in their obligations to purchase U.S.  Securities hereunder on either
the First or any Optional Closing Date and the aggregate number of shares of
U.S.  Securities that such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but
failed to purchase does not exceed 10% of the total number of shares of U.S.
Securities that the Underwriters are obligated to purchase on such Closing
Date, CSFBC may make arrangements satisfactory to the Company and the Selling
Stockholders for the purchase of such U.S. Securities by other persons,
including any of the Underwriters, but if no such arrangements are made by such
Closing Date the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated severally, in
proportion to their respective commitments hereunder, to purchase the U.S.
Securities that such defaulting Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase on
such Closing Date.  If any Underwriter or Underwriters so default and the
aggregate number of shares of U.S. Securities with respect to which such
default or defaults occur exceeds 10% of the aggregate amount of U.S.
Securities that the Underwriters are obligated to purchase on such Closing Date
and arrangements satisfactory to CSFBC and the Company for the purchase of such
U.S. Securities by other persons are not made within 36 hours after such
default, this Agreement will terminate without liability on the part of any
non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company, except as provided in Section 9
(provided that if such default occurs with respect to U.S. Optional Securities
after the First Closing Date, this Agreement will not terminate as to the U.S.
Firm Securities or any U.S. Optional Securities purchased prior to such
termination).  As used in this Agreement, the term "Underwriter" includes any
person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section.  Nothing herein will
relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

       9.     Survival of Certain Representations and Obligations.  The
respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other
statements of the Selling Stockholders, of the Company or its officers and of
the several Underwriters set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will
remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation, or statement
as to the results thereof, made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, any Selling
Stockholder, the Company or any of their respective representatives, officers
or directors or any controlling person, and will survive delivery of and
payment for the U.S. Securities.  If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to
Section 8 or if for any reason the purchase of the U.S. Securities by the
Underwriters is not consummated, the Company and the Selling Stockholders shall
remain responsible for the expenses to be paid or reimbursed by it pursuant to
Section 5 and the respective obligations of the Company, the Selling
Stockholders and the Underwriters pursuant to Section 7 shall remain in effect
and if any U.S. Securities have been purchased hereunder the representations
and warranties in Section 2 and all obligations under Section 5 shall also
remain in effect.  If the purchase of the U.S. Securities by the Underwriters
is not consummated for any reason other than solely because of the termination
of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8 or the occurrence of any event
specified in clause (iii), (iv), or (v) of Section 6(h), the Company and the
Selling Stockholders will reimburse the Underwriters for all out-of-pocket
expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) reasonably incurred by
them in connection with the offering of the U.S. Securities.

       10.    Notices.  All communications hereunder will be in writing and, if
sent to the Underwriters, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and
confirmed to the Representatives c/o CS First Boston Corporation, Park Avenue
Plaza, New York, N.Y.  10055, Attention:  Transactions Advisory Group, or, if
sent to the Company, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to
it at 1900 West Loop South, Suite 1800, Houston, Texas 77027, Attention: Steven
A. Webster, or, if sent to the Selling Stockholders or any of them, will be
mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed c/o the Company, 1900 West Loop
South, Suite 1910, Houston, Texas 77027, Attention: Steven A.  Webster;
provided,





                                      -17-
<PAGE>   18
however, that any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 7 will be
mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to such Underwriter.

       11.    Successors.  This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the parties hereto and their respective personal representatives
and successors and the officers and directors and controlling persons referred
to in Section 7, and no other person will have any right or obligation
hereunder.

       12.    Representation of Underwriters and Selling Stockholders.  The
Representatives will act for the several Underwriters in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and any action under this
Agreement taken by the Representatives jointly or by CSFBC will be binding upon
all the Underwriters.  Steven A. Webster and Robert F. Fulton will act for the
Selling Stockholders pursuant to the Powers of Attorney granted by the Selling
Stockholders in connection with such transactions, and any action under or in
respect of this Agreement taken by Messrs.  Webster and Fulton will be binding
upon all the Selling Stockholders.

       13.    Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement.

       14.    APPLICABLE LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD
TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS.

       The Company hereby submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the
Federal and state courts in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York in
any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby.





                                      -18-
<PAGE>   19
       If the foregoing is in accordance with the Representatives'
understanding of our agreement, kindly sign and return to the Company one of
the counterparts hereof, whereupon it will become a binding agreement among the
Company, the Selling Stockholders and the several Underwriters in accordance
with its terms.

                                     Very truly yours,
                                     
                                     
                                     FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC.
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     By:
                                         --------------------------------------
                                          Steven A. Webster
                                          Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
                                     NAMED IN SCHEDULE B HERETO
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     By:
                                         --------------------------------------
                                                    Attorney-in-Fact
                                     




The foregoing Underwriting Agreement is hereby confirmed
and accepted as of the date first above written.


CS FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation
Salomon Brothers Inc
Schroder Wertheim & Co.
Simmons & Company International

Acting on behalf of themselves and as the Representatives
of the several Underwriters.

By  CS FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION


By:
    ---------------------------------
Name:
      -------------------------------
Title:
       ------------------------------





                                      -19-
<PAGE>   20
                                   SCHEDULE A


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Number of
                                  Underwriter                                        U.S. Firm Securities
                                  -----------                                        --------------------
 <S>                                                                                <C>  
 CS First Boston Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Salomon Brothers Inc  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Schroder Wertheim & Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Simmons & Company International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .




                                                                                     --------------------
                          Total  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                                                                     ====================



</TABLE>


                                      -20-
<PAGE>   21
                                   SCHEDULE B


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Number of U.S. Firm
                                                                               Securities
                             Selling Stockholder                               to be Sold
                             -------------------                               ----------

                 <S>                                                         <C>





                                                                             -----------------
                Total  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                                                             =================
 
</TABLE>




                                      -21-
<PAGE>   22
                                   SCHEDULE C


<TABLE>
 <S>                              <C>                                               <C>
                                                                                  Maximum Number of
                                                                                   Optional Shares
                                  Seller                                             to be Sold
                                  ------                                             ----------
                                                                                    
                                                                                    

 Falcon Drilling Company, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .





                                                                                                          
                                                                               ---------------------------
                  Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                 
                                                                               ==========================



</TABLE>


                                      -22-

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 1.2




                                7,000,000 SHARES

                         FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC.

                                  COMMON STOCK
                                ($.01 PAR VALUE)


                             SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

                                                                 London, England
                                                               November   , 1996

To:      CS FIRST BOSTON LIMITED
         ____________________________
         ____________________________


c/o:     CS FIRST BOSTON LIMITED ("CSFBL")
         One Cabot Square
         London, England E14 4QJ

Dear Sirs:

         1.      Introductory. Falcon Drilling Company, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("Company"), proposes to issue and sell ("International Offering")
to the several Managers named in Schedule A hereto ("Managers")
shares of its Common Stock, $.01 par value per share Securities, and the
stockholders listed in Schedule B hereto ("Selling Stockholders") propose to
sell an aggregate of                  shares of the Securities (all such shares
of Company Securities being hereinafter referred to as the "International Firm
Securities").

         It is understood that the Company is concurrently entering into an
Underwriting Agreement, dated the date hereof ("Underwriting Agreement"), with
certain United States underwriters listed in Schedule A thereto (the "U.S.
Underwriters"), for whom CS First Boston Corporation ("CSFBC"), Donaldson,
Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, Salomon Brothers Inc, Schroder
Wertheim & Co. and Simmons & Company International acting as representatives
(the "U.S. Representatives"), relating to the concurrent offering and sale of
shares of Securities ("U.S. Firm Securities") in the United States and Canada
("U.S. Offering").

         In addition, the Company proposes to issue and sell and the Selling
Stockholders propose to sell (i) to the U.S. Underwriters, at the option of the
U.S. Underwriters, an aggregate of not more than             additional
principal amount of Securities ("U.S. Optional Securities")
additional shares of Securities ("U.S. Optional Securities") and (ii) to the
Managers, at the option of the Managers, an aggregate of not more than
additional shares of Securities ("International Optional Securities") to be
provided in the respective amounts indicated on Schedule C hereto.  The U.S.
Firm Securities and the U.S. Optional Securities are hereinafter called the
"U.S. Securities"; the International Firm Securities and the International
Optional Securities are hereinafter called the "International Securities"; the
U.S. Firm Securities and the International Firm Securities are hereinafter
called the "Firm Securities".  The U.S. Securities and the International
Securities are collectively referred to as the "Offered Securities".  To
provide for the coordination of their activities, the U.S. Underwriters and the
Managers have entered into an Agreement Between U.S. Underwriters and Managers
which permits them, among other things, to sell the Offered Securities to each
other for purposes of resale.
<PAGE>   2
         The Company and the Selling Stockholders hereby agree with the several
Managers as follows:

         2.      Representations and Warranties of the Company and the Selling
Stockholders.  (a) The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the
several Managers that:

         (i)     A registration statement (No. 333-            ), including a
form of prospectus relating to the U.S.  Securities and a form of prospectus
relating to the International Securities being offered in the International
Offering has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("Commission") and either (i) has been declared effective under the Securities
Act of 1933 ("Act") and is not proposed to be amended or (ii) is proposed to be
amended by amendment or post-effective amendment.  If such registration
statement (the "initial registration statement") has been declared effective,
either (A) an additional registration statement (the "additional registration
statement") relating to the Offered Securities may have been filed with the
Commission pursuant to Rule 462(b) ("Rule 462(b)") under the Act and, if so
filed, has become effective upon filing pursuant to such Rule and the Offered
Securities all have been duly registered under the Act pursuant to the initial
registration statement and, if applicable, the additional registration
statement or (B) such an additional registration statement is proposed to be
filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(b) and will become effective
upon filing pursuant to such Rule and upon such filing the Offered Securities
will all have been duly registered under the Act pursuant to the initial
registration statement and such additional registration statement.  If the
Company does not propose to amend the initial registration statement or, if an
additional registration statement has been filed and the Company does not
propose to amend it, and if any post-effective amendment to either such
registration statement has been filed with the Commission prior to the
execution and delivery of this Agreement, the most recent amendment (if any) to
each such registration statement has been declared effective by the Commission
or has become effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(c) ("Rule 462(c)")
under the Act or, in the case of the additional registration statement, Rule
462(b).  For purposes of this Agreement, "Effective Time" with respect to the
initial registration statement or, if filed prior to the execution and delivery
of this Agreement, the additional registration statement means (i) if the
Company has advised CSFBL that it does not propose to amend such registration
statement, the date and time as of which such registration statement, or the
most recent post-effective amendment thereto (if any) filed prior to the
execution and delivery of this Agreement, was declared effective by the
Commission or has become effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(c), or (ii)
if the Company has advised CSFBL that it proposes to file an amendment or
post-effective amendment to such registration statement, the date and time as
of which such registration statement, as amended by such amendment or
post-effective amendment, as the case may be, is declared effective by the
Commission.  If an additional registration statement has not been filed prior
to the execution and delivery of this Agreement but the Company has advised
CSFBL that it proposes to file one, "Effective Time" with respect to such
additional registration statement means the date and time as of which such
registration statement is filed and becomes effective pursuant to Rule 462(b).
"Effective Date" with respect to the initial registration statement or the
additional registration statement (if any) means the date of the Effective Time
thereof.  The initial registration statement, as amended at its Effective Time,
including all material incorporated by reference therein, including all
information contained in the additional registration statement (if any) and
deemed to be a part of the initial registration statement as of the Effective
Time of the additional registration statement pursuant to the General
Instructions of the Form on which it is filed and including all information (if
any) deemed to be a part of the initial registration statement as of its
Effective Time pursuant to Rule 430A(b) ("Rule 430A(b)") under the Act, is
hereinafter referred to as the "Initial Registration Statement".  The
additional registration statement, as amended at its Effective Time, including
the contents of the initial registration statement incorporated by reference
therein and including all information (if any) deemed to be a part of the
additional registration statement as of its Effective Time pursuant to Rule
430A(b), is hereinafter referred to as the "Additional Registration Statement".
The Initial Registration Statement and the Additional Registration Statement
are hereinafter referred to collectively as the "Registration Statements" and
individually as a "Registration Statement".  The form of prospectus relating to
the U.S. Securities and the form of prospectus relating to the International
Securities, each as first filed with the Commission pursuant to and in
accordance with Rule 424(b) ("Rule 424(b)") under the Act or (if no such filing
is required) as included in the Registration Statement, including all material
incorporated by reference in each such prospectus, are hereinafter referred to
as the "U.S. Prospectus" and the "International Prospectus", respectively, and
collectively as the "Prospectuses".  No document has been or will be prepared
or distributed in reliance on Rule 434 under the Act.





                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3
                 (ii)     If the Effective Time of the Initial Registration
         Statement is prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement:
         (i) on the Effective Date of the Initial Registration Statement, the
         Initial Registration Statement conformed in all respects to the
         requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations of the
         Commission ("Rules and Regulations") and did not include any untrue
         statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
         required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
         therein not misleading, (ii) on the Effective Date of the Additional
         Registration Statement (if any), each Registration Statement
         conformed, or will conform, in all respects to the requirements of the
         Act and the Rules and Regulations and did not include, or will not
         include, any untrue statement of a material fact and did not omit, or
         will not omit, to state any material fact required to be stated
         therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
         and (iii) on the date of this Agreement, the Initial Registration
         Statement and, if the Effective Time of the Additional Registration
         Statement is prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
         the Additional Registration Statement each conforms, and at the time
         of filing of each of the Prospectuses pursuant to Rule 424(b) or (if
         no such filing is required) at the Effective Date of the Additional
         Registration Statement in which the Prospectuses are included, each
         Registration Statement and each of the Prospectuses will conform, in
         all respects to the requirements of the Act and the Rules and
         Regulations, and none of such documents includes, or will include, any
         untrue statement of a material fact or omits, or will omit, to state
         any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
         the statements therein not misleading.  If the Effective Time of the
         Initial Registration Statement is subsequent to the execution and
         delivery of this Agreement: on the Effective Date of the Initial
         Registration Statement, the Initial Registration Statement and each of
         the Prospectuses will conform in all respects to the requirements of
         the Act and the Rules and Regulations, none of such documents will
         include any untrue statement of a material fact or will omit to state
         any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
         the statements therein not misleading, and no Additional Registration
         Statement has been or will be filed.  The two preceding sentences do
         not apply to statements in or omissions from a Registration Statement
         or either of the Prospectuses based upon written information furnished
         to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives or by
         any Manager through CSFBL specifically for use therein, it being
         understood and agreed that the only such information is that described
         as such in Section 7(b).

                 (iii)    Each of the Company and its corporate subsidiaries
         has been duly incorporated, is validly existing as a corporation in
         good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and
         has the corporate power and authority to carry on its business as it
         is currently being conducted and to own, lease and operate its
         properties, and each is duly qualified and is in good standing as a
         foreign corporation authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in
         which the nature of its business or its ownership or leasing of
         property requires such qualification, except where the failure to be
         so qualified would not have a material adverse effect on the Company
         and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                 (iv)     Each partnership subsidiary of the Company has been
         duly formed, is validly existing as a partnership and, with respect to
         each limited partnership subsidiary of the Company, is in good
         standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation and has
         the requisite power and authority to carry on its business as it is
         currently being conducted and to own, lease and operate its
         properties, and each is duly qualified and is in good standing as a
         foreign partnership authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in
         which the nature of its business or the ownership or leasing of
         property requires such qualification, except where the failure to be
         so qualified would not have a material adverse effect on the Company
         and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                 (v)   All the outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other
         ownership interests in, each of the Company's subsidiaries have been
         duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
         nonassessable, and are owned by the Company or one of the Company's
         wholly owned subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest,
         claim, lien, encumbrance or adverse interest of any nature. Except as
         disclosed in the Prospectuses and except for the shares of capital
         stock of the Company's subsidiaries, neither the Company nor any
         corporate or partnership subsidiary owns or holds, directly or
         indirectly, a material number of shares of capital stock or any other
         securities of any corporation or has any material equity interest in
         any firm, partnership, association or other entity.





                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4
                 (vi)   The Company's authorized equity capitalization is as
         set forth in the Prospectuses; the capital stock of the Company
         conforms to the description thereof contained in the Prospectuses; the
         outstanding Securities (including the offered Securities being sold
         hereunder by the Selling Stockholders) have been duly and validly
         authorized and issued and are fully paid and nonassessable; the
         offered Securities being sold hereunder by the Company have been duly
         and validly authorized, and, when issued and delivered to and paid for
         by the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement, will be fully paid and
         nonassessable; the Securities being sold hereunder by the Company and
         the Selling Stockholders are duly authorized for listing, subject to
         official notice of issuance on the Nasdaq National Market; the
         certificates for the Securities are in valid and sufficient form; and
         the holders of outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are
         not entitled to preemptive or other rights to subscribe for the
         Securities.

                 (vii)    This Agreement and the Underwriting Agreement have
         been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

                 (viii)   Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in
         violation of its respective charter or by-laws (or certificate of
         limited partnership or partnership agreement in the case of a
         partnership subsidiary) or is in default in the performance of any
         obligation, agreement or condition contained in any bond, debenture,
         note or any other evidence of indebtedness or in any other agreement,
         indenture or instrument material to the conduct of the business of the
         Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to which the Company
         or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its
         subsidiaries or their respective properties are bound or is in
         violation of any existing material law, order, rule or regulation of
         any court, governmental agency or body or any arbitrator, domestic or
         foreign, having jurisdiction over any of them or any of their
         properties.

                 (ix)     The execution, delivery and performance of this
         Agreement, compliance by the Company with all the provisions hereof
         and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not
         require any consent, approval, authorization or other order of any
         court, regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental
         body (except as such may be required under the securities or blue sky
         laws of the various states) and will not conflict with or constitute a
         breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or a default under, the
         charter or by-laws of the Company or the charter or by-laws (or
         certificate of limited partnership or partnership agreement in the
         case of a partnership subsidiary) of any of its subsidiaries or any
         agreement, indenture or other instrument to which the Company or any
         of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its
         subsidiaries or their respective properties are bound, or violate or
         conflict with any law, order, rule, regulation, judgment, ruling or
         decree applicable to the Company, any of its subsidiaries or their
         respective property.

                 (x)      Except as disclosed in the Prospectuses, there are no
         material arbitration or legal or governmental actions, suits or
         proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
         a party or of which any of their respective property is the subject,
         and, to the best of the Company's knowledge, no such arbitrations,
         actions, suits or proceedings are threatened or contemplated.  No
         contract or document of a character required to be described in the
         Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit
         to the Registration Statement is not so described or filed as
         required.

                 (xi)     Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has
         violated any foreign, federal, state or local law or regulation
         (including, without limitation, laws and regulations related to notice
         requirements) relating to the protection of human health and safety,
         the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants
         or contaminants ("Environmental Laws"), nor any federal or state law
         relating to discrimination in the hiring, promotion or pay of
         employees nor any applicable federal or state wages and hours laws,
         nor any provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
         1974, as amended, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder,
         which in each case might result in any material adverse change in the
         business, prospects, financial condition or results of operation of
         the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.  With respect to
         Environmental Laws, the Company has reasonably concluded that costs
         and liabilities





                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5
         associated with any violations of such laws by the Company or its
         subsidiaries would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a material
         adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                 (xii)    Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has such
         permits, certificates, licenses, franchises and authorizations of
         governmental or regulatory authorities ("permits"), including, without
         limitation, under any applicable Environmental Laws, as are necessary
         to own, lease and operate its respective properties and to conduct its
         business, except such permits the absence of which would not, singly
         or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company and
         its subsidiaries taken as a whole; the Company and each of its
         subsidiaries has fulfilled and performed all of its material
         obligations with respect to such permits and no event has occurred
         which allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation
         or termination thereof or results in any other material impairment of
         the rights of the holder of any such permit; and, except as described
         in the Prospectuses, such permits contain no restrictions that are
         materially burdensome to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

                 (xiii)   Except as otherwise set forth in the Prospectuses or
         such as are not material to the business, prospects, financial
         condition or results of operation of the Company and its subsidiaries,
         taken as a whole, the Company and each of its subsidiaries have good
         and valid title (subject to the liens on such assets described in
         Appendix 1(a)(xiv) hereto) to all property and assets described in the
         Registration Statement as being owned by it, free and clear of all
         liens, encumbrances, claims, security interests, subleases and
         defects.  All leases to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries
         is a party are valid, subsisting and enforceable, and no default has
         occurred or is continuing thereunder that might result in any material
         adverse change in the business, prospects, financial condition or
         results of operation of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
         whole; and the Company and its subsidiaries enjoy peaceful and
         undisturbed possession under all such leases to which any of them is a
         party as lessee with such exceptions as do not materially interfere
         with the use made and proposed to be made by the Company or such
         subsidiary.

                 (xiv)    Each of the Company and its subsidiaries maintain
         reasonably adequate insurance in accordance with industry practice;
         and all of such insurance is outstanding and duly in force on the
         Execution Date and will be outstanding and duly in force on the
         Closing Date.

                 (xv)     Arthur Andersen LLP are independent public
         accountants with respect to the Company as required by the Act and the
         Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended, the "Exchange Act")
         and the rules and regulations thereunder.

                 (xvi)    The financial statements, together with related
         schedules and notes forming part of the Registration Statement and the
         Prospectuses (and any amendment or supplement thereto), present fairly
         the consolidated financial position, results of operations and changes
         in financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries on the basis
         stated in the Registration Statement at the respective dates or for
         the respective periods to which they apply; such statements and
         related schedules and notes have been prepared in accordance with
         generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied
         throughout the periods involved, except as disclosed therein; and the
         other financial and statistical information and data set forth in the
         Registration Statement and the Prospectuses (and any amendment or
         supplement thereto) is, in all material respects, accurately presented
         and prepared on a basis consistent with such financial statements and
         the books and records of the Company.

                 (xvii)   There are no persons with registration or other
         similar rights to have any securities registered pursuant to the
         Registration Statement or the Act or to participate in the offering of
         Securities contemplated by this Agreement, except such as have been
         waived in writing or complied with by the inclusion of such securities
         in the Registration Statement.

                 (xviii)  The Company and its subsidiaries have complied with
         all provisions of Section 1 of Laws of Florida, Chapter 92-198.





                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6
                 (xix)    None of the Company or its subsidiaries is (A) an
         "investment company" or a company "controlled" by an "investment
         company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
         amended (the "Investment Company Act"), or analogous foreign laws and
         regulations, or (B) a "holding company" or a "subsidiary company" or
         an "affiliate" of a holding company within the meaning of the Public
         Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended, or analogous foreign
         laws and regulations.

                 (xx)     There are no outstanding subscriptions, rights,
         warrants, options, calls, convertible securities, commitments of sale
         or liens related to or entitling any person to purchase or otherwise
         to acquire any shares of the capital stock of, or other ownership
         interest in, the Company or any subsidiary thereof except as otherwise
         disclosed in the Registration Statement or as disclosed on Appendix
         2(a)(xxi) hereto.

                 (xxi)    Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, there are no
         business relationships or related party transactions required to be
         disclosed therein by Item 404 of Regulation S-K of the Commission.

                 (xxii)   Each of the Company and its subsidiaries maintains a
         system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide
         reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance
         with management's general or specific authorizations; (ii)
         transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of
         financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting
         principles and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to
         assets is permitted only in accordance with management's general or
         specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for
         assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals
         and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

                 (xxiii)  All material tax returns required to be filed by the
         Company and each of its subsidiaries in any jurisdiction have been
         filed, other than those filings being contested in good faith, and all
         material taxes, including withholding taxes, penalties and interest,
         assessments, fees and other charges due pursuant to such returns or
         pursuant to any assessment received by the Company or any of its
         subsidiaries have been paid, other than those being contested in good
         faith and for which adequate reserves have been provided.

                 (xxiv)   Subsequent to the respective dates as of which
         information is given in the Prospectuses and up to the date and time
         this Agreement is executed and delivered by the parties hereto (the
         "Execution Time"), except as set forth in the Prospectuses, (i) none
         of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has incurred any liabilities
         or obligations, direct or contingent, which are material to the
         Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, nor entered into any
         material transaction whether or not in the ordinary course of
         business, (ii) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind
         declared, paid or made by the Company on its shares of capital stock,
         and (iii) there has not been, singly or in the aggregate, any material
         adverse change or any development which may reasonably be expected to
         involve a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries,
         taken as a whole.

                 (xxv)    The Company is deemed a citizen of the United States
         as determined pursuant to Section 2 of the Shipping Act, 1916, as
         amended, and the beneficial ownership of the Company's capital stock
         by foreign persons or entities as of the date of the Prospectuses does
         not violate the Shipping Act, 1916 or the Company's certificate of
         incorporation.

                 (xxvi)   Except as disclosed in the Prospectuses, there are no
         contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company, any
         Selling Stockholder and any person that would give rise to a valid
         claim against the Company or any Manager for a brokerage commission,
         finders fee or other like payments in connection with this
         offering.

(b)   Each Selling Stockholder represents and warrants to, and agrees with,
each Manager that:

                 (i)      Such Selling Stockholder is the lawful owner of the
         Securities to be sold by such Selling Stockholder hereunder, and upon
         sale and delivery of, and payment for, such Securities, as provided
         herein,





                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7
         such Selling Stockholder will convey good and marketable title to such
         Securities, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities and
         claims whatsoever.

                 (ii)     Such Selling Stockholder has no reason to believe
         that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in
         this Section 2 are not true and correct; and the sale of Securities by
         such Selling Stockholder pursuant hereto is not prompted by any
         information concerning the Company or any of its subsidiaries which is
         not, to such Selling Stockholder's knowledge, publicly available
         information.

                 (iii)    Such Selling Stockholder has not taken and will not
         take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or which has
         constituted or which might reasonably be expected to cause or result
         in, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation
         of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or
         resale of the offered Securities.

                 (iv)     Upon delivery of payment for the Securities to be
         sold by such Selling Stockholder and after delivery of such securities
         by such Selling Stockholder, in accordance with this Agreement, good
         and clear title to such Securities will pass to the Underwriters, free
         of all restrictions on transfers, liens, encumbrances, securities
         interests and claims whatsoever.

                 (v)      Such Selling Stockholder has, and on the Closing Date
         will have, full legal rights, power and authority to enter into (a)
         this Agreement, (b) the Custody Agreement between the Selling
         Stockholder and the Company, as Custodian (the "Custody Agreement"),
         and (c) the Selling Stockholder's Irrevocable Power of Attorney
         appointing Steven A. Webster and Robert F. Fulton as
         attorneys-in-fact for such Selling Stockholder (the "Power of
         Attorney"), and to sell, assign, transfer and deliver the Securities
         to be sold by such Selling Stockholder in the manner provided herein
         and therein, and this Agreement, the Custody Agreement and the Power
         of Attorney have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such
         Selling Stockholder and each of this Agreement, the Custody Agreement
         and the Power of Attorney is a valid and binding agreement of such
         Selling Stockholder enforceable in accordance with its terms, except
         as rights to indemnity and contribution hereunder may be limited by
         applicable law.

                 (vi)     The execution, delivery and performance of this
         Agreement, the Custody Agreement and the Power of Attorney by such
         Selling Stockholder, compliance by such Selling Stockholder with all
         the provisions hereof and thereof and the consummation of the
         transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not require any
         consent, approval, authorization or other order of any court,
         regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental body
         (except as such may be required under the Act, state securities laws
         or blue sky laws) and will not conflict with or constitute a breach of
         any of the terms or provisions of, or a default under, organizational
         documents of such Selling Stockholder, if not an individual, or any
         agreement, indenture or other instrument to which such Selling
         Stockholder is a party or by which such Selling Stockholder or
         property of such Selling Stockholder is bound, or violate or conflict
         with any laws, administrative regulation or ruling or court decree
         applicable to such Selling Stockholder or property of such Selling
         Stockholder.

                 (vii)    The information contained in the Prospectuses
         specifically relating to such Selling Stockholder does not, and will
         not on the Closing Date (and any Option Closing Date, if applicable),
         contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
         material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
         statements therein, in light of circumstances under which they were
         made, not misleading.

                 (viii)   Except as disclosed in the Prospectuses, there are 
         no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company, any
         Selling Stockholder and any person that would give rise to a valid
         claim against the Company or any Manager for a brokerage commission,
         finders fee or other like payments in connection with this offering.





                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8
         3.      Purchase, Sale and Delivery of Offered Securities.  On the
basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, but
subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company and each
Selling Stockholder agrees to sell to the Managers, and the Managers agree,
severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at a purchase price of
U.S.$               per share the respective numbers of International Firm
Securities set forth opposite the names of the Managers in Schedule A hereto.

         The Company and each Selling Stockholder will deliver the
International Firm Securities to CSFBL for the accounts of the Managers, at the
office of                                , against payment of the purchase
price in immediately available funds drawn to the order of
at the office of                        , at      A.M., New York time, on
, or at such other time not later than seven full business days thereafter as
CSFBL and the Company determine, (such time being herein referred to as the
"First Closing Date").  For purposes of Rule 15c6-1 under the Exchange Act, the
First Closing Date (if later than the otherwise applicable settlement date)
shall be the settlement date for payment of funds and delivery of securities
for all the Offered Securities sold pursuant to the U.S. Offering and the
International Offering.  The certificates for the International Firm Securities
so to be delivered will be in definitive form, in such denominations and
registered in such names as CSFBL requests and will be made available for
checking and packaging at the above office of                       , at least
24 hours prior to the First Closing Date.

         In addition, upon written notice from CSFBC given to the Company from
time to time not more than 30 days subsequent to the date of the Prospectuses,
the Managers may purchase all or less than all of the U.S. Optional Securities
at the purchase price per Security to be paid for the International Firm
Securities.  The International Optional Securities to be purchased by the
Underwriters on any Optional Closing Date shall be in the same proportion to
all the Optional Securities to be purchased by the Managers and the Managers on
such Optional Closing Date as the International Firm Securities bear to all the
Firm Securities.  The Company and each Selling Stockholder agree to sell to the
Underwriters such International Optional Securities and the Managers agree,
severally and not jointly, to purchase such International Optional Securities.
Such International Optional Securities shall be purchased for the account of
each Manager in the same proportion as the number of shares of International
Firm Securities set forth opposite such Manager's name bears to the total
number of shares of International Firm Securities (subject to adjustment by
CSFBC to eliminate fractions) and may be purchased by the Managers only for the
purpose of covering over-allotments made in connection with the sale of the
Firm Securities.  No Optional Securities shall be sold or delivered unless the
U.S. Firm Securities and the International Firm Securities previously have
been, or simultaneously are, sold and delivered.  The right to purchase the
Optional Securities or any portion thereof may be exercised from time to time
and to the extent not previously exercised may be surrendered and terminated at
any time upon notice by CSFBC on behalf of the U.S. Underwriters and the
Managers to the Company.  It is understood that CSFBC is authorized to make
payment for and accept delivery of such Optional Securities on behalf of the
U.S. Underwriters and Managers pursuant to the terms of CSFBC's instructions to
the Company.

         Each time for the delivery of and payment for the International
Optional Securities, being herein referred to as an "Optional Closing Date",
which may be the First Closing Date (the First Closing Date and each Optional
Closing Date, if any, being sometimes referred to as a "Closing Date"), shall
be determined by CSFBC but shall be not later than five full business days
after written notice of election to purchase Optional Securities is given.  The
Company and each Selling Stockholder will deliver the International Optional
Securities being purchased on each Optional Closing Date to CSFBL for the
accounts of the several Managers, at the office of                           ,
against payment of the purchase price in immediately available funds drawn to
the order of             , at the above office of                   .  The 
certificates for the International Optional Securities will be in
definitive form, in such denominations and registered in such names as CSFBL
requests upon reasonable notice prior to such Optional Closing Date and will be
made available for checking and packaging at the above office of              ,
at a reasonable time in advance of such Optional Closing Date.

         The Company will pay to the Managers as aggregate compensation for
their commitments hereunder and for their services in connection with the
purchase of the International Securities and the management of the offering
thereof, if the sale and delivery of the International Securities to the
Managers provided herein is consummated, an amount equal to U.S. $         per
International Security purchased, which may be divided among the Managers in
such proportions as they may determine.  Such payment will be made on the First
Closing Date in the case of the International Firm





                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9
Securities and on each Optional Closing Date in the case of the International
Optional Securities sold to the Manager on such Closing Date, in each case by
way of deduction by the Managers of said amount from the purchase price for the
International Securities referred to above.

         4.      Offering by Managers.  It is understood that the several
Managers propose to offer the International Securities for sale to the public
as set forth in the International Prospectus.

         In connection with the distribution of the International Securities,
the Managers, through a stabilizing manager, may over-allot or effect
transactions on any exchange, in any over-the-counter market or otherwise which
stabilize or maintain the market prices of the International Securities at
levels other than those which might otherwise prevail, but in such event and in
relation thereto, the Managers will act for themselves and not as agents of the
Company or of the Selling Stockholders, and any loss resulting from
over-allotment and stabilization will be borne, and any profit arising
therefrom will be beneficially retained, by the Managers.  Such stabilizing, if
commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

         5.      Certain Agreements of the Company and the Selling
Stockholders.  The Company agrees with the several Managers and the Selling
Stockholders that:

                 (i)      The Company will use its best efforts to cause the
         Registration Statement, if not effective at the Execution Time, and
         any amendment thereof, to become effective.  Prior to the termination
         of the offering of the Securities, the Company will not file any
         amendment of the Registration Statement or supplement to the
         Prospectuses unless the Company has furnished you a copy for your
         review prior to filing and will not file any such proposed amendment
         or supplement to which you object.  Subject to the foregoing sentence,
         if the Registration Statement has become or becomes effective pursuant
         to Rule 430A, or filing of the Prospectuses is otherwise required
         under Rule 424(b), the Company will cause the Prospectuses, properly
         completed, and any supplement thereto to be filed with the Commission
         pursuant to the applicable paragraph of Rule 424(b) within the time
         period prescribed and will provide evidence satisfactory to the
         Representatives of such timely filing.  The Company will promptly
         advise CSFBL (A) when the Registration Statement, if not effective at
         the Execution Time, and any amendment thereto, shall have become
         effective, (B) when the Prospectuses, and any supplement thereto,
         shall have been filed (if required) with the Commission pursuant to
         Rule 424(b), (C) when, prior to termination of the offering of the
         Securities, any amendment to the Registration Statement shall have
         been filed or become effective, (D) of any request by the Commission
         for any amendment of the Registration Statement or supplement to the
         Prospectuses or for any additional information, (E) of the issuance by
         the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
         Registration Statement or the institution or threatening of any
         proceeding for that purpose and (F) of the receipt by the Company of
         any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification
         of the Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or
         threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.  The Company will use
         its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order and,
         if issued, to obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal thereof.

                 (ii)     If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the
         Securities is required to be delivered under the Act, any event occurs
         as a result of which the Prospectus as then supplemented would include
         any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
         fact necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the
         circumstances under which they were made not misleading, or if it
         shall be necessary to amend the Registration Statement or supplement
         the Prospectus to comply with the Act or the Exchange Act or the
         respective rules thereunder, the Company promptly will (x) prepare and
         file with the Commission, subject to the second sentence of paragraph
         (a) of this Section 5, an amendment or supplement which will correct
         such statement or omission or effect such compliance and (y) supply
         any supplemented Prospectuses to you in such quantities as you may
         reasonably request.  Neither CSFBL's consent nor the Manager's
         delivery of such amendment or supplement shall constitute a waiver of
         any of the conditions set forth in Section 6 hereof.





                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10
                 (iii)    As soon as practicable, the Company will make
         generally available to its security holders and to CSFBL and will file
         with the Commission an earnings statement or statements of the Company
         and its subsidiaries which will satisfy the provisions of Section
         11(a) of the Act and Rule 158 under the Act.

                 (iv)     The Company will furnish to the Managers copies of
         the Registration Statement of which will be signed and will include
         all exhibits), each preliminary prospectus relating to the
         International Securities, and, until completion of the distribution of
         the International Securities as determined by CSFBL, the International
         Prospectus and all amendments and supplements to such documents, in
         each case in such quantities as CSFBL requests.  The International
         Prospectus shall be so furnished on or prior to 3:00 P.M., New York
         time, on the business day following the later of the execution and
         delivery of this Agreement or the Effective Time of the Initial
         Registration Statement.  All other such documents shall be so
         furnished as soon as available.  The Company will pay the expenses of
         printing and distributing to the Managers all such documents.

                 (v)      No action has been or, prior to the completion of the
         distribution of the Offered Securities, will be taken by the Company
         in any jurisdiction outside the United States and Canada that would
         permit a public offering of the Offered Securities, or possession or
         distribution of the International Prospectus, or any amendment or
         supplement thereto, or any related preliminary prospectus issued in
         connection with the offering of the Offered Securities, or any other
         offering material, in any country or jurisdiction where action for
         that purpose is required.

                 (vi)     The Company and the Selling Stockholders will not, 
         for a period of 180 days and 90 days, respectively, following the 
         Execution Time, without the prior written consent of CSFBC, offer, 
         sell or contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of, directly 
         or indirectly, or announce the offering of, any Securities 
         or any securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, Securities 
         other than the sale of Securities to the Underwriters pursuant 
         to this Agreement; provided, however, that the Company may
         issue and sell Securities pursuant to any employee stock option plan,
         stock ownership plan or dividend reinvestment plan of the Company in
         effect at the Execution Time and the Company may issue Securities upon
         the conversion of securities or the exercise of warrants or options
         outstanding at the Execution Time; and provided further, that the
         Company may issue Securities, pursuant to the Company's agreement to
         acquire the drillships Deepsea Ice and Deepsea Duchess, the aggregate
         market value of which shall not exceed $15 million based on the average
         closing price of the Securities on the Nasdaq Stock Market for the five
         trading days prior to the date of the closing of such acquisition.

                 (vii)    Each Selling Stockholder will deliver to CSFBC,
         attention:  Transactions Advisory Group on or prior to the First
         Closing Date a properly completed and executed United States Treasury
         Department Form W-9 (or other applicable form or statement specified
         by Treasury Department regulations in lieu thereof).

         6.      Conditions of the Obligations of the Managers.  The
obligations of the several Managers to purchase and pay for the International
Firm Securities on the First Closing Date and the International Optional
Securities to be purchased on each Optional Closing Date will be subject to the
accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company and
the Selling Stockholders herein, to the accuracy of the statements of Company
officers made pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the
Company and the Selling Stockholders of its obligations hereunder and to the
following additional conditions precedent:

         (a)     If the Registration Statement has not become effective prior
to the Execution Time, unless CSFBL agrees in writing to a later time, the
Registration Statement will become effective not later than (i) 6:00 PM New
York City time on the date of determination of the public offering price, if
such determination occurred at or prior to 3:00 PM New York City time on such
date or (ii) 12:00 Noon on the business day following the day on which the
public offering price was determined, if such determination occurred after 3:00
PM New York City time on such date; if filing of the Prospectus, or any
supplement thereto is required pursuant to Rule 424(b), the Prospectuses and
any such supplement, will be filed in the manner and within the time period
required by Rule 424(b); and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement shall have been issued and no proceedings for that
purpose shall have been instituted or threatened; if filing of an additional
registration statement or a post-effective amendment to the Registration
Statement shall be made pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Act, such filing
shall occur in the manner provided in Rule 462.





                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11
         (b)     The Managers shall have received a letter, dated the date of
delivery thereof (which, if the Effective Time of the Initial Registration
Statement is prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, shall be on
or prior to the date of this Agreement or, if the Effective Time of the Initial
Registration Statement is subsequent to the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, shall be prior to the filing of the amendment or post-effective
amendment to the registration statement to be filed shortly prior to such
Effective Time), of in the agreed form.

         (c)     The Company shall have furnished to the Managers the opinion
of Parson & Brown, counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the
effect that;

                 (i)      The Company and each of its subsidiaries has been
         duly incorporated (or formed in the case of a partnership subsidiary),
         is validly existing as a corporation or partnership, as the case may
         be, in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
         incorporation or formation and has the corporate or partnership power
         and authority required to carry on its business as described in the
         Prospectuses and to own, lease and operate its properties, and is duly
         qualified to do business as a foreign corporation or partnership, as
         the case may be, and is in good standing under the laws of each
         jurisdiction which requires such qualification wherein it owns or
         leases material properties or conducts material business;

                 (ii)     All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of, or
         other ownership interests in, each of the Company's subsidiaries have
         been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and
         non-assessable and are owned by the Company either directly or through
         wholly owned subsidiaries free and clear of any perfected security
         interest and, to the knowledge of such counsel, after due inquiry, any
         other security interest, claim, lien or encumbrance;

                 (iii)    The Company's authorized equity capitalization is as
         set forth in the Prospectuses; the capital stock of the Company
         conforms to the description thereof contained in the Prospectuses; the
         outstanding shares of Securities (including the Securities to be sold
         by each of the Selling Stockholders) have been duly authorized and
         validly issued and are fully paid, non-assessable and not subject to
         any preemptive or similar rights; the Securities to be issued and sold
         by the Company hereunder have been duly authorized and, when issued
         and delivered to the Underwriters against payment therefor as provided
         by this Agreement, will be fully paid and non-assessable, and the
         issuance of such Securities is not subject to any preemptive or
         similar rights; and the certificates for the Securities are in valid
         and sufficient  form;

                 (iv)     This Agreement and the Underwriting Agreement have
         been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and each
         of the Selling Stockholders and is a valid and binding agreement of
         the Company and each of the Selling Stockholders, enforceable in
         accordance with its terms (except as rights to indemnity and
         contribution hereunder may be limited by applicable law);

                 (v)      The statements under the captions "Risk Factors -
         Environmental Matters," "Risk Factors - Restrictions on Foreign
         Ownership," and "Selling Stockholders" in the Prospectuses and in Item
         15 of Part II of the Registration Statement, insofar as such
         statements constitute a summary of legal matters, regulations,
         documents or proceedings referred to therein, provide a fair summary
         of such legal matters, regulations, documents and proceedings;

                 (vi)     The execution, delivery and performance of this
         Agreement by the Company and each Selling Stockholder, compliance by
         the Company and each Selling Stockholder with the provisions hereof
         and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not
         require any consent, approval, authorization or other order of any
         court, regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental
         body (except as such may be required under the Act or other securities
         or blue sky laws) and do not constitute a breach of any of the terms
         or provisions of, or a default under, the charter or by-laws or
         certificate or agreement of limited partnership, as the case may be,
         of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of the organizational
         documents of any of the Selling Stockholders or any agreement,
         indenture or other instrument known to us to which the Company or any
         of its subsidiaries or any of the Selling Stockholders is a party or
         by which the Company or





                                      -11-
<PAGE>   12
         any of its subsidiaries or any of the Selling Stockholders or their
         respective properties are bound, or violate or conflict with any laws,
         administrative regulations or rulings or court decrees known to us to
         be applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of the
         Selling Stockholders or any of their respective properties;

                 (vii)    Such counsel does not know of any legal or
         governmental action, suit or proceeding pending or threatened before
         any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator
         to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which
         any of their respective property is subject which is required to be
         described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectuses and is not
         so described, or of any contract or other document which is required
         to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectuses or
         to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and is not so
         described or filed as required;

                 (viii)   None of the Company or its subsidiaries is (A) an
         "investment company" or a company "controlled" by an "investment
         company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
         amended (the "Investment Company Act") or (B) a "holding company" or a
         "subsidiary company" or an "affiliate" of a holding company within the
         meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended;

                 (ix)     (1) the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses
         and any supplement or amendment thereto (except for financial
         statements as to which no opinion need be expressed) comply as to form
         in all material respects with the Act and the Exchange Act and the
         respective rules thereunder, and (2) nothing has come to the attention
         of such counsel that causes such counsel to believe that (except for
         financial statements, as aforesaid) the Registration Statement and the
         prospectuses included therein at the time the Registration Statement
         became effective contained any untrue statement of a material fact or
         omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
         necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or that the
         Prospectuses as of the Closing Date, as amended or supplemented, if
         applicable (except for financial statements, as aforesaid) contains
         any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material
         fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light
         of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

                 (x)      A Custody Agreement and a Power of Attorney have each
         been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each Selling
         Stockholder and are each a valid and binding agreement of each Selling
         Stockholder enforceable in accordance with its terms;

                 (xi)     Each of the Selling Stockholders has received any
         approval required by law (other than any approval imposed by the
         applicable state securities and blue sky laws) to sell, assign,
         transfer and deliver the Securities to be sold by it in the manner
         provided in this Agreement, the Custody Agreement and the Power of
         Attorney, and each of the Selling Stockholders that is a corporation
         or partnership has full corporate or partnership power and authority,
         as the case may be, to so sell, assign, transfer and deliver the
         Securities;

                 (xii)    To such counsel's knowledge, there are no persons
         with registration or other similar rights to have any securities
         registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or under the Act or
         to participate in the offering of the Securities contemplated by this
         Agreement, except such as have been waived or complied with by
         inclusion of such persons as Selling Stockholders in the Registration
         Statement;

                 (xiii)   Each of the Selling Stockholders has good and clear
         title to the certificates for the Securities to be sold by it and
         assuming that the Underwriters acquired their interest in the
         Securities in good faith and without notice of any adverse claim, and
         upon delivery thereof, pursuant hereto and payment therefor, good and
         clear title will pass to the Underwriters, severally, free of all
         restrictions on transfers, liens, encumbrances, security interests and
         claims whatsoever;

                 (xiv)    The Company is deemed a citizen of the United States
         as determined pursuant to Section 2 of the Shipping Act, 1916, as
         amended, and the beneficial ownership of the Company's capital stock
         by foreign





                                      -12-
<PAGE>   13
         persons or entities as of the date of the Prospectuses does not
         violate the Shipping Act, 1916 or the Company's certificate of
         incorporation.

In giving such opinion with respect to matters covered by clause (ix), such
counsel may state that their belief is based upon their participation in the
preparation of the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses and review and
discussion of the contents thereof, but is without independent check or
verification.  In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely as to matters
of fact, to the extent they deem proper, on certificates of responsible
officers of the Company and the Selling Stockholders and public officials.
References to the Registration Statement and Prospectuses in this paragraph (b)
include any amendments or supplements thereto at the Closing Date.

         (d)      Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
there shall not have occurred (i) any change, or any development or event
involving a prospective change, in the condition (financial or other),
business, properties or results of operations of the Company or its
subsidiaries which, in the judgment of a majority in interest of the Managers
including the U.S. Underwriters, is material and adverse and makes it
impractical or inadvisable to proceed with completion of the public offering or
the sale of and payment for the Offered Securities; (ii) any downgrading in the
rating of any debt securities of the Company by any "nationally recognized
statistical rating organization" (as defined for purposes of Rule 436(g) under
the Act), or any public announcement that any such organization has under
surveillance or review its rating of any debt securities of the Company (other
than an announcement with positive implications of a possible upgrading, and no
implication of a possible downgrading, of such rating); (iii) any suspension or
limitation of trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange,
or any setting of minimum prices for trading on such exchange, or any
suspension of trading of any securities of the Company on any exchange or in
the over-the-counter market; (iv) any banking moratorium declared by U.S.
Federal or New York authorities; or (v) any outbreak or escalation of major
hostilities in which the United States  is involved, any declaration of war by
Congress or any other substantial national or international calamity or
emergency if, in the judgment of a majority in interest of the Managers
including the U.S. Underwriters, the effect of any such outbreak, escalation,
declaration, calamity or emergency makes it impractical or inadvisable to
proceed with completion of the public offering or the sale of and payment for
the Offered Securities.

         (e)     The Managers shall have received from                     , 
counsel to certain of the Selling Stockholders, an opinion with respect to
such Stockholders  covering the matters described in paragraphs (c)(vi), (x),
(xi) and (xiii) above.

         (f)     The Managers shall have received from Andrews & Kurth L.L.P.,
counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated the Closing Date,
with respect to the issuance and sale of the Securities, the Registration
Statement, the Prospectuses (together with any supplement thereto) and other
related matters as the Representatives may reasonably require, and the Company
and each Selling Stockholder shall have furnished to such counsel such
documents as they request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such
matters.

         (g)     The Company shall have furnished to the Managers a certificate
of the Company, signed by the Chairman of the Board or the President and the
principal financial or accounting officer of the Company, dated the Closing
Date, to the effect that such officers have carefully examined the Registration
Statement, the Prospectuses, any supplements to the Prospectuses and this
Agreement and that:

                 (i)      The  representations and warranties of the Company in
         this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects on and as
         of the Closing Date with the same effect as if made on the Closing
         Date and the Company has complied with all the agreements and
         satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied
         at or prior to the Closing Date;

                 (ii)     No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
         Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that
         purpose have been instituted or, to the Company's knowledge,
         threatened; and





                                      -13-
<PAGE>   14
                 (iii)    Since the date of the most recent financial
         statements included in the Prospectuses, there has been no material
         adverse change in the condition (financial or other), earnings,
         business, properties or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries,
         whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of
         business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Prospectuses.

         (h)     Each Selling Stockholder shall have furnished to the Managers
a certificate, signed by or on behalf of such Selling Stockholder dated the
Closing Date, to the effect that the signer of such certificate has carefully
examined the Registration Statement, the Prospectuses, any supplement to the
Prospectuses and this Agreement and that the representations and warranties of
such Selling Stockholder in this Agreement are true and correct in all material
respects on and as of the Closing Date to the same effect as if made on the
Closing Date.

         (i)     At the Execution Time, the Company shall have furnished to the
Managers a letter substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto from S-C Rig
Investments, L.P., its partners and affiliates, addressed to the Managers, in
which each such person agrees not to offer, sell or contract to sell, or
otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, or announce an offering of, any
Securities beneficially owned by such person or any securities convertible into,
or exchangeable for, Securities for a period of 90 days following the Execution
Time without the prior written consent of CSFBL.

         (j)     On such Closing Date, the U.S. Underwriters shall have
purchased the U.S. Firm Securities or the U.S. Optional Securities, as the
case may be, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.

         7.      Indemnification and Contribution.  (a)  The Company will
indemnify and hold harmless each Manager against any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities, joint or several, to which such Manager may become subject, under
the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities
(or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any
Registration Statement, either of the Prospectuses, or any amendment or
supplement thereto, or any related preliminary prospectus, or arise out of or
are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, and will reimburse each Manager for any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such Managers in connection with investigating or
defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses
are incurred; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any
such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises
out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement in or
omission or alleged omission from any of such documents in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Managers
through CSFBL  specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed
that the only information furnished by any Manager consists of the information
described as such in subsection (c) below.

         (b)     Each Selling Stockholder agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
each Manager and each person, if any, who controls any Manager within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments caused
by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained or incorporated in the Registration Statement or the Prospectuses 
(as amended or supplemented) or any preliminary prospectus or caused by 
any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required 
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not 
misleading, but only with reference to information specifically relating 
to each Selling Stockholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate 
liability of each Selling Stockholder pursuant to the provisions of this 
paragraph shall be limited to an amount equal to the aggregate purchase price 
received by each Selling Stockholder from the sale of each Selling 
Stockholder's Securities and any Optional Securities sold by each Selling 
Stockholder hereunder.

         (c)     Each Manager will severally and not jointly indemnify and hold
harmless the Company and each Selling Stockholder against any losses, claims,
damages or liabilities to which the Company and each Selling Stockholder may





                                      -14-
<PAGE>   15
become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are
based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material
fact contained in any Registration Statement, either of the Prospectuses, or
any amendment or supplement thereto, or any related preliminary prospectus, or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the
extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through the
Representatives specifically for use therein, and will reimburse any legal or
other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in connection with
investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as
such expenses are incurred, it being understood and agreed that the only such
information furnished by any Underwriter consists of (i) the following
information in the U.S. Prospectus furnished on behalf of each Underwriter: the
last paragraph at the bottom of the cover page concerning the terms of the
offering by the Underwriters, the legend concerning over-allotments,
stabilizing and passive market making on the inside front cover page, the
concession and reallowance figures appearing in the fifth paragraph under the
caption "Underwriting" and the information contained in the twelfth paragraph
under the caption "Underwriting" and (ii) the following information in the U.S.
Prospectus furnished on behalf of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
Corporation, Salomon Brothers Inc and Simmons & Company International
concerning the receipt of fees in prior offerings in the eleventh paragraph
under the caption "Underwriting."

         (d)     Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this
Section of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party
will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying
party under subsection (a), (b) or (c) above, notify the indemnifying party of
the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party
will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified
party otherwise than under subsection (a), (b) or (c) above.  In case any such
action is brought against any indemnified party and it notifies the
indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be
entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly
with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense
thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not,
except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the
indemnifying party), and after notice from the indemnifying party to such
indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the
indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this
Section for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such
indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable
costs of investigation.  No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written
consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or
threatened action in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have
been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified
party unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such
indemnified party from all liability on any claims that are the subject matter
of such action.

         (e)     If the indemnification provided for in this Section is
unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under
subsection (a), (b) or (c) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute
to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of the
losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in subsection (a), (b) or
(c) above (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
benefits received by the Company and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand
and the Managers on the other from the offering of the U.S.  Securities or (ii)
if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable
law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative
benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the
Company and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand and the Managers on the
other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations.  The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand
and the Managers on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as
the total net proceeds from the offering of the International Securities
(before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the Selling
Stockholders bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions received
by the Managers.  The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among
other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to
information supplied by the Company, the Selling Stockholders or the Managers
and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission.  The





                                      -15-
<PAGE>   16
amount paid by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages
or liabilities referred to in the first sentence of this subsection (e) shall
be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such
indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any action or
claim which is the subject of this subsection (e).  Notwithstanding the
provisions of this subsection (e), no Manager shall be required to contribute
any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the U.S.
Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the
public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Manager has otherwise been
required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or
omission or alleged omission.  No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation
(within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.  The Managers' obligations in this subsection (e) to
contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting
obligations and not joint.

         (f)     The obligations of the Company and the Selling Stockholders
under this Section shall be in addition to any liability which the Company and
the Selling Stockholders may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same
terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter
within the meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the Underwriters under
this Section shall be in addition to any liability which the respective
Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and
conditions, to each director of the Company, to each officer of the Company who
has signed a Registration Statement and to each person, if any, who controls
the Company within the meaning of the Act.

         8.      Default of Underwriters.  If any Manager or Managers default
in their obligations to purchase International Securities hereunder on either
the First or any Optional Closing Date and the aggregate number of shares of
International Securities that such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters
agreed but failed to purchase does not exceed 10% of the total number of shares
of International Securities that the Underwriters are obligated to purchase on
such Closing Date, CSFBL may make arrangements satisfactory to the Company and
the Selling Stockholders for the purchase of such International Securities by
other persons, including any of the Underwriters, but if no such arrangements
are made by such Closing Date the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be
obligated severally, in proportion to their respective commitments hereunder,
to purchase the International Securities that such defaulting Underwriters
agreed but failed to purchase on such Closing Date.  If any Manager or
Underwriters so default and the aggregate number of shares of International
Securities with respect to which such default or defaults occur exceeds 10% of
the aggregate amount of International Securities that the Underwriters are
obligated to purchase on such Closing Date and arrangements satisfactory to
CSFBC and the Company for the purchase of such International Securities by
other persons are not made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement
will terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter
or the Company, except as provided in Section 9 (provided that if such default
occurs with respect to International Optional Securities after the First
Closing Date, this Agreement will not terminate as to the International Firm
Securities or any International Optional Securities purchased prior to such
termination).  As used in this Agreement, the term "Manager" includes any
person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section.  Nothing herein will
relieve a defaulting Manager from liability for its default.

         9.      Survival of Certain Representations and Obligations.  The
respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other
statements of the Selling Stockholders, of the Company or its officers and of
the several Managers set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will
remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation, or statement
as to the results thereof, made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, any Selling
Stockholder, the Company or any of their respective representatives, officers
or directors or any controlling person, and will survive delivery of and
payment for the International Securities.  If this Agreement is terminated
pursuant to Section 8 or if for any reason the purchase of the International
Securities by the Underwriters is not consummated, the Company and the Selling
Stockholders shall remain responsible for the expenses to be paid or reimbursed
by it pursuant to Section 5 and the respective obligations of the Company, the
Selling Stockholders and the Managers pursuant to Section 7 shall remain in
effect and if any International Securities have been purchased hereunder the
representations and warranties in Section 2 and all obligations under Section 5
shall also remain in effect.  If the purchase of the International Securities
by the Managers is not consummated for any reason other than solely because of
the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8 or the occurrence of
any event specified in clause (iii), (iv), or (v) of Section 6(h), the Company





                                      -16-
<PAGE>   17
and the Selling Stockholders will reimburse the Managers for all out-of-pocket
expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) reasonably incurred by
them in connection with the offering of the International Securities.

         10.     Notices.  All communications hereunder will be in writing and,
if sent to the Managers, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed
to CSFBL at One Cabot Square, London E14 4QJ England, Attention: Company
Secretary, or, if sent to the Company, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed
and confirmed to it at 1900 West Loop South, Suite 1800, Houston, Texas 77027,
Attention: Steven A. Webster, or, if sent to the Selling Stockholders or any of
them, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed c/o the Company,
1900 West Loop South, Suite 1910, Houston, Texas 77027, Attention: Steven A.
Webster; provided, however, that any notice to a Manager pursuant to Section 7
will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to such Manager.

         11.     Successors.  This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and
be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective personal
representatives and successors and the officers and directors and controlling
persons referred to in Section 7, and no other person will have any right or
obligation hereunder.

         12.     Representation of Managers and Selling Stockholders.  CSFBL
will act for the several Managers in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, and any action under this Agreement taken by
CSFBL will be binding upon all the Managers.  Steven A. Webster and Robert F.
Fulton will act for the Selling Stockholders pursuant to the Powers of Attorney
granted by the Selling Stockholders in connection with such transactions, and
any action under or in respect of this Agreement taken by Messrs. Webster and
Fulton will be binding upon all the Selling Stockholders.

         13.     Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement.

         14.     APPLICABLE LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD
TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS.

         The Company hereby submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the
Federal and state courts in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York in
any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby.





                                      -17-
<PAGE>   18
         If the foregoing is in accordance with the Representatives'
understanding of our agreement, kindly sign and return to the Company one of
the counterparts hereof, whereupon it will become a binding agreement among the
Company, the Selling Stockholders and the several Underwriters in accordance
with its terms.

                               Very truly yours,


                               FALCON DRILLING COMPANY, INC.



                               By:
                                  -----------------------------------------
                                  Steven A. Webster
                                  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer



                               THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
                               NAMED IN SCHEDULE B HERETO



                               By:
                                  ----------------------------------------
                                               Attorney-in-Fact





The foregoing Underwriting Agreement is hereby confirmed
and accepted as of the date first above written.


CS FIRST BOSTON LIMITED
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation
Salomon Brothers Inc
Schroder Wertheim & Co.
Simmons & Company International

Each by its duly authorized attorney-in-fact:





                                      -18-
<PAGE>   19
                                   SCHEDULE A


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Number of
                                    Manager                                     International Firm Securities
                                    -------                                     -----------------------------
 <S>                                                                            <C>
 CS First Boston Limited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .





                                                                                                          
                                                                                       -------------------
                          Total  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                            
                                                                                       ===================
</TABLE>






                                      -19-
<PAGE>   20
                                   SCHEDULE B


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      NUMBER OF
                                                                                 INTERNATIONAL FIRM
                                                                                     SECURITIES
                             SELLING STOCKHOLDER                                     TO BE SOLD
                             -------------------                                     ----------
                 <S>                                                           <C>





                                                                                 -----------------
                 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        
                                                                                 =================
</TABLE>





                                      -20-
<PAGE>   21
                                   SCHEDULE C


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  SELLER                                            MAXIMUM NUMBER OF
                                  ------                                             OPTIONAL SHARES 
                                                                                       TO BE SOLD   
                                                                                       ----------   
 <S>                                                                                 <C>
 Falcon Drilling Company, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .





                                                                                                          
                                                                                   -------------------

                 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                 
                                                                                   ==================
</TABLE>





                                      -21-

<PAGE>   1





                          [PARSON & BROWN LETTERHEAD]




                                 (212) 551-9800

                                November 6, 1996


Falcon Drilling Company, Inc.
1900 West Loop South
Suite 1800
Houston, Texas  77027

Re:      Registration Statement on Form S-3
         ----------------------------------

Dear Sirs:

         As general counsel to Falcon Drilling Company, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), we are familiar with the proceedings taken and
proposed to be taken by the Company in connection with the registration of a
maximum of 8,050,000 shares (including 1,050,000 shares subject to
an underwriters' over-allotment option) of its Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share (the "Shares").  We are also familiar with the registration statement on
Form S-3 to be filed on or about November 6, 1996 (the "Registration
Statement"), pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, covering the
Shares.  We have examined such records of the Company, certificates of public
officials and such other documents and such questions of law as we have deemed
necessary as a basis of this opinion.

         Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares are
legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, to the use of our name under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus , and to the incorporation by reference of this
opinion and consent into any registration statement filed by the Company
pursuant to Rule 462(b) with respect to the same offering.

                                        Very truly yours,



                                        PARSON & BROWN

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our
reports and to all references to our Firm included in or made a part of this
registration statement on Form S-3 to be filed on or near November 7, 1996.
 
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Houston, Texas
November 7, 1996


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