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

                                  UNITED STATES

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
                                ----------------

                                    Form 10-Q

                 |X| QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                  FOR QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003
                         COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-13167

              |_| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                              ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


              TEXAS                                       74-1611874
(State or other jurisdiction of            (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
        incorporation or organization)


    15835 Park Ten Place Drive                               77084
            Houston, Texas                                 (Zip Code)
  (Address of principal executive offices)


              Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
                                  281-749-7800
                                 ---------------


     Indicate  by check mark  whether the  registrant  (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of
1934 during the  preceding  12 months and (2) has been  subject to such  filings
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No___

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an  accelerated  filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.) Yes X No __.

     Indicate the number of shares  outstanding of each of the issuer's  classes
of Common Stock,  as of January 31, 2004:  13,852,301  shares of common stock $1
par value

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






                              ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC.

                                    FORM 10-Q

                     For the Quarter Ended December 31, 2003

                                      INDEX

Part I. Financial Information

   Item 1.  Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements          Page

   a)       Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
            For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002............4

   b)       Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
            As of December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2003...................5

   c)       Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
            For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002............7

   d) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements...................8


   Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
            Condition and Results of Operations.............................12

   Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk......16

   Item 4.  Controls and Procedures.........................................16

Part II. Other Information

   Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K................................18

Signature...................................................................20

Certifications..............................................................22







                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                     ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


     This Form 10-Q for the  quarterly  period ended  December 31, 2003 includes
"forwarding-looking  statements"  within  the  meaning  of  Section  27A  of the
Securities  Act of 1933, as amended.  All  statements  other than  statements of
historical  facts included in this Form 10-Q  regarding our financial  position,
business  strategy,  budgets and plans and objectives for future  operations are
forward-looking  statements.  These forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties  that may  cause our  actual  future  activities  and  results  of
operation to be materially  different  from those  suggested or described in the
Form 10-Q.









                      PART I. ITEM I - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                     ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                    (In thousands, except per share amounts)


                                                   Three Months Ended
                                                      December 31,
                                           ------------------------------------
                                               2003                    2002
                                           -----------             -----------

                                                       (Unaudited)
REVENUES:
         Contract drilling                 $35,325                   $29,841
                                           -------                    -------

COSTS AND EXPENSES:
         Contract drilling                  22,533                    19,345
         Depreciation                        7,842                     5,392
         General and administrative          2,688                     2,680
                                          --------                    ------
                                            33,063                    27,417
                                          --------                     ------
OPERATING INCOME                             2,262                     2,424
                                          --------                    ------

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
         Interest expense                   (2,334)                     (113)
         Interest income                         8                        63
                                          --------                   ------
                                            (2,326)                      (50)
                                          --------                     ------

INCOME (LOSS)  BEFORE INCOME TAXES             (64)                    2,374

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES                   1,840                     1,424
                                          --------                    ------
NET INCOME (LOSS)                         $ (1,904)                    $ 950
                                          ========                    ======

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:
             Basic                        $   (.14)                    $ .07
             Diluted                          (.14)                      .07
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
            Basic                           13,852                    13,845
            Diluted                         13,852                    13,912


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
financial statements.








                      PART I. ITEM I - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                     ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (In thousands)


                                                 December 31,      September 30,
                                                     2003              2003
                                                --------------    --------------
                                                            (Unaudited)
ASSETS

   CURRENT ASSETS:
       Cash and cash equivalents                  $ 19,253             $21,551
       Accounts receivable                          20,779              30,864
       Income tax receivable                         3,278               3,278
       Inventories of materials and supplies,
         at lower of average cost or market         12,076              12,583
       Deferred tax assets                             550                 550
       Prepaid expenses and other                    6,410               7,186
                                                   -------               -----

                Total Current Assets                62,346              76,012
                                                   -------              ------


   NET PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT                      435,901             443,102
                                                   -------             -------

   DEFERRED COSTS AND OTHER ASSETS                   3,761               3,560
                                                   -------             -------

                                                  $502,008            $522,674
                                                  ========            ========

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
financial statements.












                      PART I. ITEM I - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                     ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (In thousands)


                                                                December 31,             September 30,
                                                                    2003                      2003
                                                              -------------------    -----------------------
                                                                              (Unaudited)
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

                                                                                        
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
        Current maturities of long-term debt                       $ 27,000                    $ 24,000
        Accounts payable                                              3,747                      10,403
        Accrued liabilities                                           8,530                       8,851
        Deferred credits                                              1,500                       6,695
                                                                   --------                    --------
                   Total Current Liabilities                         40,777                      49,949
                                                                   --------                    --------

LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities:                          172,000                     181,000
                                                                   --------                    --------

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
        Deferred income taxes                                        20,618                      21,217
        Deferred credits and other                                    7,041                       7,041
                                                                  ----------                   --------
                                                                     27,659                      28,258

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
        Preferred stock, no par value;
           1,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding
        Common stock, $1 par value;                                     ---                        ---
            20,000,000 shares authorized with 13,852,000
            and 13,851,000 shares
            issued and outstanding at December 31, 2003
            and September 30, 2003,
            respectively
         Paid-in-capital                                             13,852                      13,851
         Retained earnings                                           57,412                      57,404
                    Total Shareholders' Equity                      190,308                     192,212
                                                                   --------                    --------
                                                                    261,572                     263,467
                                                                   --------                    --------
                                                                   $502,008                    $522,674
                                                                   ========                    ========

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
financial statements.











                                 PART I. ITEM I - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                          (In thousands)

                                                                                     Three Months Ended December 31,
                                                                                   -------------------------------------
                                                                                      2003         2002
                                                                                   -------------    --------------------
                                                                                               (Unaudited)

                                                                                                   
   CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
       Net Income (loss)                                                              ($1,904)           $    950
         Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
         provided (used) by operating activities:
              Depreciation                                                              7,842               5,392
              Amortization of debt issuance costs                                         165                  72
              Amortization of deferred items                                               63                  34
              Deferred income tax provision (benefit)                                    (600)                450
         Changes in assets and liabilities:
              Decrease in accounts receivable                                          10,085               1,850
              Decrease in inventory                                                       507                 152
              Increase in deferred costs and other assets                                 (83)             (4,505)
              Increase (decrease) in accounts payable                                  (6,656)                111
              Decrease in accrued liabilities                                            (321)               (574)
              Net mobilization fees and credits                                        (5,327)                774
              Other increases                                                             907               1,816
                                                                                      -------             -------
                                                                                        6,582               5,572
                                                                                      -------             -------
            Net cash provided by operating activities                                   4,678               6,522
                                                                                      -------             -------



CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
        Capital expenditures                                                             (647)            (35,694)
        Other                                                                               6                  90
                                                                                      -------             -------
               Net cash used by investing activities                                     (641)            (35,604)
                                                                                      -------             -------


CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
        Proceed from the exercises of stock options                                         8                 ---
        Debt issuance costs paid                                                         (343)               (531)
        Proceeds from credit facilities                                                   ---              20,000
        Principal payments on debt                                                     (6,000)             (1,811)
                                                                                      -------             -------
                       Net cash provided (used) by financing activities                (6,335)             17,658
                                                                                      -------             -------

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND
     CASH EQUIVALENTS                                                                  (2,298)            (11,424)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, at beginning of period                                      21,551              27,055
                                                                                     --------            --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, at end of period                                          $ 19,253            $ 15,631
                                                                                     --------            --------
- ---------------------------
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
      Cash paid during the quarter for domestic
           and foreign income taxes                                                  $  1,556            $  1,737
                                                                                     ========            ========
       Cash paid during the quarter for interest,
           net of amounts capitalized                                                $  2,357            $    ---
                                                                                     ========            ========

     The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
financial statements.










                      PART I. ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                     ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1.       UNAUDITED INTERIM INFORMATION

     The unaudited interim  condensed  consolidated  financial  statements as of
December  31, 2003 and for each of the three month  periods  ended  December 31,
2003 and 2002, included herein, have been prepared in accordance with accounting
principles  generally  accepted  in the  United  States of America  for  interim
financial  information and with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of
Regulation  S-X.  The  yearend  condensed  consolidated  balance  sheet data was
derived from the audited financial statements as of September 30, 2003. Although
these financial  statements and related  information  have been prepared without
audit,  and  certain  information  and note  disclosures  normally  included  in
financial  statements  prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles have been condensed or omitted,  we believe that the note disclosures
are  adequate to make the  information  not  misleading.  The interim  financial
results may not be indicative of results that could be expected for a full year.
It is suggested that these condensed  consolidated  financial statements be read
in conjunction with the consolidated  financial statements and the notes thereto
included in our Annual Report to  Shareholders  for the year ended September 30,
2003. In our opinion,  the unaudited  interim financial  statements  reflect all
adjustments  (consisting of normal recurring  adjustments)  considered necessary
for a fair  presentation of the financial  position and results of operations of
our Company for the periods presented.


2.       SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     We apply the recognition  and measurement  principles of APB Opinion No. 25
"Accounting  for  Stock  Issued  to  Employees",  and  related  interpretations.
Accordingly,  no  compensation  costs have been  recognized in net income (loss)
from the granting of options  pursuant to our stock option plans, as all options
granted under those plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the
underlying common stock on the date of grant. We do not intend to adopt the fair
value based method of  stock-based  compensation.  Had  compensation  costs been
determined based on the fair value at the grant dates consistent with the method
of SFAS No. 123, our net income (loss) and earnings  (loss) per share would have
been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below (in thousands,  except for
per share amounts):


                                                       Three Months Ended
                                                           December 31,
                                                    ------------------------
                                                     2003              2002
                                                    ------            ------

Net income (loss), as reported                      $(1,904)          $  950
                                                    -------
 Deduct:  Total stock-based employee
     compensation expense determined under
     fair value based method for all
     awards, net of related tax effects                (625)            (538)
                                                    -------           ------
Pro Forma, net income                               $(2,529)          $  412
                                                    ========          ======


Earnings (loss) per share:
     Basic - as reported                            $  (.14)          $  .07
     Basic - pro forma                              $  (.18)          $  .03

     Diluted - as reported                          $  (.14)          $  .07
     Diluted - pro forma                            $  (.18)          $  .03


3.       EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE

         The computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share is as
follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

                                                       Three Months Ended
                                                                     Per Share
                                           Net Income      Shares      Amount
                                           ----------      ------    ---------
     December 31, 2003:
        Basic loss per share                  ($1,904)      13,852     ($ .14)
        Effect of dilutive securities  -
                Stock options                      ---         ---        ---
                                              --------      ------      -----

        Diluted loss per share                ($1,904)      13,852    ($ .14)
                                              ========      ======    =======

     December 31, 2002:
        Basic earnings per share                 $ 950      13,845     $ .07
        Effect of dilutive securities  -
                Stock options                      ---          67       ---
                                              --------     -------    ------

        Diluted earnings per share               $ 950      13,912     $ .07
                                              ========     =======    ======




4.       PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

         A summary of property and equipment by classification is as follows (in
thousands):

                                                     December 31,  September 30,
                                                         2003           2003
                                                     -----------   -------------

      Drilling vessels and related equipment
          Cost                                        $ 619,241       $ 618,943
          Accumulated depreciation                     (189,253)       (181,924)
                                                      ---------       ---------
                                                        429,988         437,019
                                                      ---------       ---------

      Drill pipe
          Cost                                           10,555          10,224
          Accumulated depreciation                       (6,350)         (6,010)
                                                      ---------       ---------
          Net book value                                  4,205           4,214
                                                      ---------       ---------

      Furniture and other
          Cost                                            9,079           9,072
          Accumulated depreciation                       (7,371)         (7,203)
                                                      ---------        --------
          Net book value                                  1,708           1,869
                                                      ---------        --------

                 NET PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT           $ 435,901       $ 443,102
                                                      =========       =========


     Effective  October 1, 2003, we extended the remaining  depreciable  life of
the  RICHMOND  from 2 to 5 years,  due to our  recent  assessment  of the  rig's
commercial  viability,  coupled  with  our  intent  to  continue  marketing  and
operating  the rig beyond 2 years.  We believe  that this change in  depreciable
life provides a better  matching of the revenues and expenses of this asset over
its anticipated remaining useful life. As a result of this change in depreciable
life,  depreciation  expense for the quarter ended December 31, 2003 was reduced
by  approximately  $200,000  which  reduced net loss per share by  approximately
$.01.


5.   LONG-TERM DEBT

     In November  2003,  the $250 million  Senior  Secured  Credit  Facility was
amended  to  redefine  the  calculation  of the  ratio  of  outstanding  debt to
earnings,  before  interest,  income  taxes  and  depreciation.   The  amendment
increased  the  permitted  ratio  levels from 5.75 to 6.25 at December  31, 2003
through and including March 30, 2004, reducing to 5.50 at March 31, 2004 through
and  including  September  29,  2004,  4.00 at  September  30, 2004  through and
including December 30, 2004 and 3.00 thereafter.  On an as amended basis, we are
in compliance with all financial covenants at December 31, 2003.


6.   COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

     We are party to a number of lawsuits which are ordinary, routine litigation
incidental  to our  business,  the  outcome  of which,  individually,  or in the
aggregate,  is not expected to have a material  adverse  effect on our financial
position or results of operations.


7.   INCOME TAXES

     Virtually all of our tax provision for the three months ended  December 31,
2003 and 2002  relates to taxes in foreign  jurisdiction.  Due to the  operating
loss in the United States, in addition to operating losses in certain nontaxable
jurisdictions, our effective tax rate for fiscal year 2004 is expected to exceed
the United States statutory rate.







                                 PART I. ITEM 2
                     ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
                OF FINANCIAL CONDITIONS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


     All non-historical  information set forth herein is based upon expectations
and  assumptions  we  deemed  reasonable.  We can give no  assurance  that  such
expectations and assumptions will prove to be correct,  and actual results could
differ materially from the information  presented  herein.  Our periodic reports
filed  with the SEC  should  be  consulted  for a  description  of risk  factors
associated with an investment in our Company.

MARKET OUTLOOK

     Worldwide utilization of offshore drilling units continues to remain in the
high -70% to low - 80% range. The continuing  disconnect between relatively high
commodity  prices and soft  market  conditions  continues  to reflect  increased
conservatism by exploration and production  companies due to a number of factors
including weak capital markets,  increased focus on reducing debt, and a host of
geopolitical  uncertainties (for example, those in Iraq, Venezuela and Nigeria),
which  continue to curtail  drilling.  Semisubmersible  utilization  remains the
weakest sector of the drilling  market,  while  utilization of jack-up  drilling
units remains as one of the stronger sectors of the market mainly as a result of
increased  demand  in the Gulf of  Mexico,  Asia  Pacific  and  Mexico.  Despite
incurring  a net loss in the first  quarter  of fiscal  year  2004,  based  upon
current  contract  commitments  and  opportunities,  we  currently  expect to be
profitable for fiscal year 2004. We will continue to emphasize  utilization over
higher dayrates.

     During  the  quarter  ended  December  31,  2003  (excluding   mobilization
periods), the ATWOOD EAGLE, ATWOOD SOUTHERN CROSS, ATWOOD HUNTER and SEAHAWK had
idle  revenue  days of 38,  21, 16 and 14,  respectively.  The  ATWOOD  EAGLE is
currently  being mobilized to Australia,  with expected  arrival in mid-February
2004 and  commencement of drilling  operations  around March 1, 2004. The ATWOOD
SOUTHERN  CROSS is  currently  idle in India;  however,  we expect  the rig will
return to work sometime in March 2004. At the end of December  2003,  the ATWOOD
HUNTER commenced a one year contract off the coast of Egypt. The SEAHAWK,  after
incurring a mooring  equipment  problem,  returned to work in early January 2004
under its contract in Malaysia. The ATWOOD FALCON, VICKSBURG,  ATWOOD BEACON and
RICHMOND  were fully  utilized  during the first quarter of fiscal year 2004 and
are expected to remain highly utilized during the remainder of fiscal year 2004.

     In  fiscal  year  2003,  we  incurred   significant   expense  relating  to
mobilization  costs.  In fiscal year 2004, the relocation of the ATWOOD SOUTHERN
CROSS from the  Mediterranean  to India and the ATWOOD  FALCON from  Malaysia to
Japan have been fully  funded by our  clients.  The  current  relocation  of the
ATWOOD EAGLE from West Africa to  Australia is also  expected to be fully funded
by the client.

     We remain optimistic about the longer-term  outlook and fundamentals of the
offshore  drilling market. If the ATWOOD SOUTHERN CROSS returns to work in March
2004, as currently  expected,  we anticipate that our operating  results for the
second  quarter  of fiscal  year 2004 will be at a  breakeven  level and that we
should  return to  profitable  operations  during the second half of fiscal year
2004.  With the operations of our seven  upgraded  drilling units plus the newly
constructed  jack-up  drilling unit,  the ATWOOD BEACON,  we believe that we are
well positioned,  in an improving market environment,  for increases in earnings
and cash flows.




RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     Contract  drilling  revenues for the three  months ended  December 31, 2003
increased  18%  compared  to  the  three  months  ended  December  31,  2002.  A
comparative analysis of contract drilling revenues is as follows:



                                          CONTRACT DRILLING REVENUES
                                                   (In millions)
                          ------------------------------------------------------
                                        Three Months Ended December 31,
                          ------------------------------------------------------
                               2003              2002           Variance
                             --------         ---------         ---------

ATWOOD EAGLE               $   4.7              $ 0.0           $  4.7
ATWOOD BEACON                  4.4                0.0              4.4
ATWOOD SOUTHERN CROSS          3.9                2.3              1.6
RICHMOND                       2.2                2.0              0.2
SEAHAWK                        5.2                5.3             (0.1)
VICKSBURG                      5.8                6.4             (0.6)
ATWOOD FALCON                  6.0                6.9             (0.9)
ATWOOD HUNTER                  2.7                6.4             (3.7)
OTHER                          0.4                0.5             (0.1)
                             -----              -----            -----
                             $35.3              $29.8            $ 5.5
                             =====              =====            =====

     The ATWOOD EAGLE  completed its $90 million  upgrade and was  relocating to
Angola during the first quarter of the prior fiscal year;  and the ATWOOD BEACON
was under  construction  thus,  both rigs  generated  no  revenue  versus a full
quarter of revenues  generated during the current  quarter.  The ATWOOD SOUTHERN
CROSS received a $3 million mobilization payment to relocate to India and worked
for  approximately  one month at  $30,000  per day during  the  current  quarter
compared to working  approximately  40 days in the prior year quarter at $60,000
per day.  Even though the SEAHAWK  incurred 14 idle  revenue days in the current
quarter as previously  stated,  contract  revenues were  comparable to the first
quarter of the prior  fiscal year as this rig  incurred 11 idle revenue days for
repairs  and  maintenance.  The  VICKSBURG  experienced  50 days of weather  and
standby  time  during the  current  quarter at a reduced  dayrate  approximately
$10,000 per day lower than the full  operating rate compared to operating at its
full  operating  rate for the entire first quarter in the prior fiscal year. The
average  dayrate for the ATWOOD FALCON  decreased  from $95,000 during the first
quarter  of the prior  fiscal  year to $83,000  during the first  quarter of the
current  fiscal year as the rig worked in  Australia  at a rate of $109,000  for
part of the quarter in the prior  fiscal  year.  The decrease in revenue for the
ATWOOD HUNTER is due to the rig working a full quarter at an average  dayrate of
$70,000  during the first  quarter of fiscal  year 2003  compared to working two
months at an average  dayrate of $40,000 during the first quarter of fiscal year
2004.







Contract drilling costs for the three months ended December 31, 2003 increased
17% compared to the three months ended December 31, 2002. An analysis of
contract drilling costs by rig is as follows:

                                            CONTRACT DRILLING COSTS


                                            CONTRACT DRILLING COSTS
                                                 (In millions)
                            ---------------------------------------------------
                                        Three Months Ended December 31,
                            ---------------------------------------------------
                                  2003             2002            Variance
                               ---------        ---------          ---------
ATWOOD EAGLE                      $3.8             $0.0              $  3.8
ATWOOD BEACON                      3.3              0.0                 2.2
ATWOOD SOUTHERN CROSS              4.4              3.8                 0.6
RICHMOND                           1.9              2.0                (0.1)
SEAHAWK                            2.1              2.4                (0.3)
VICKSBURG                          2.2              2.5                (0.3)
ATWOOD HUNTER                      2.9              3.5                (0.6)
ATWOOD FALCON                      2.4              4.1                (1.7)
OTHER                              0.6              1.0                (0.4)
                                 -----            -----              ------
                                 $22.5            $19.3               $ 3.2
                                 =====            =====              ======



     Due to the  ATWOOD  EAGLE  completing  its $90  million  upgrade  and being
relocated to Angola and the ATWOOD  BEACON being under  construction  during the
first quarter of the prior fiscal year, neither rig incurred any operating costs
during  the first  quarter of fiscal  year 2003  compared  to a full  quarter of
operations  during  fiscal year 2004.  The increase in  operating  costs for the
ATWOOD SOUTHERN CROSS is primarily due to the rig incurring $1.6 million in boat
towing costs to relocate to India during the current quarter partially offset by
higher operating costs of approximately  $10,000 per day in the first quarter of
prior fiscal year due to operating in Italy. The decrease in operating costs for
the SEAHAWK and VICKSBURG is primarily due to lower repair and maintenance costs
compared to the first quarter of the prior fiscal year.  Operating costs for the
ATWOOD HUNTER  decreased due to the prior year quarter  having  amortization  of
mobilization  expenses related to its relocation to the Mediterranean.  Drilling
costs  decreased on the ATWOOD  FALCON due to the rig operating in Australia for
40 days in the first quarter of the prior fiscal year at  approximately  $25,000
per day higher operating costs than in Malaysia. Additionally, the rig was being
relocated to Japan the last 20 days of the first fiscal  quarter of 2004, and no
operating costs were recognized  during this period as such  mobilization  costs
were  capitalized  and will be  amortized  over the  expected  term of the Japan
contract.








An analysis of depreciation expense by rig for the three months ended December
31, 2003 compared to the three months ended December 31, 2002 is as follows:

                                           DEPRECIATION EXPENSE
                                            (In millions)
                               --------------------------------------------
                                    Three Months Ended December 31,
                               --------------------------------------------
                                 2003             2002            Variance
                               --------         ---------       -----------

ATWOOD EAGLE                   $ 1.3             $ 0.0            $  1.3
ATWOOD BEACON                    1.3               0.0               1.3
ATWOOD FALCON                    0.7               0.6               0.1
VICKSBURG                        0.7               0.6               0.1
ATWOOD SOUTHERN CROSS            1.0               1.0               0.0
SEAHAWK                          1.2               1.2               0.0
ATWOOD HUNTER                    1.3               1.4              (0.1)
RICHMOND                         0.2               0.4              (0.2)
OTHER                            0.1               0.2              (0.1)
                                 ---               ---            ------
                                $7.8              $5.4             $ 2.4
                                ====              ====             =====

     We do not recognize  depreciation expense during the period a rig is out of
service  for a  significant  upgrade or  construction,  which  accounts  for the
increase in  depreciation  expense for the ATWOOD EAGLE and ATWOOD  BEACON.  The
decrease in  depreciation  expense  for the  RICHMOND  is due to  extending  the
remaining  depreciable life of the rig from 2 to 5 years at the beginning of the
current year fiscal quarter.

     The approximate  $2.3 million increase in net interest expense is due to an
increase  in the  average  amount  of debt  outstanding  for the  quarter  ended
December 31, 2003 compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2002. Additionally,
we  capitalized  no interest  during the quarter  ended  December  31, 2003 as a
result of the completion of our upgrade  program and  construction of the ATWOOD
BEACON during fiscal year 2003 as compared to having $1.2 million of capitalized
interest for the quarter ended December 31, 2002.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     During the first  quarter of fiscal year 2004,  we utilized $1.9 million of
cash on hand at the beginning of the quarter plus $4.7 million net cash provided
by operating activities during the quarter to repay $6 million of long-term debt
and finance $0.6 million of capital expenditures.

     With  the  completion  of  the  ATWOOD  EAGLE  upgrade  and  ATWOOD  BEACON
construction,  we have completed our $460 million fleet upgrade and construction
program that commenced in 1997 on time and within cost  estimates.  We presently
have no plans to incur any upgrade costs or other  significant  capital projects
during  fiscal  year  2004  other  than  planned  capital  maintenance  items of
approximately  $5 -10  million.  Including  the $24 million  required  principal
payments on our  long-term  debt, we feel that our expected net cash provided by
operating  activities of approximately $30-35 million will adequately meet these
forecasted cash requirements for fiscal year 2004.

     In November  2003,  the $250 million  Senior  Secured  Credit  Facility was
amended  to  redefine  the  calculation  of the  ratio  of  outstanding  debt to
earnings,  before interest,  income taxes and  depreciation.  The amendment also
increased  the  permitted  ratio  levels from 5.75 to 6.25 at December  31, 2003
through and including March 30, 2004, reducing to 5.50 at March 31, 2004 through
and  including  September  29,  2004,  4.00 at  September  30, 2004  through and
including December 30, 2004 and 3.00 thereafter.  On an as-amended basis, we are
in  compliance  with all  financial  covenants at December  31,  2003.  The bank
group's  collateral  for the credit  agreement  consists  primarily of preferred
mortgages on all of our active drilling fleet.  Currently, we have an additional
$45 million of borrowing capacity under our current credit facilities,  which as
mentioned previously,  should not be needed for general operating purposes if we
maintain a high  utilization  of our  drilling  equipment.  We will  continue to
periodically review and adjust our planned capital expenditures and financing of
such  expenditures  in light of the  current  market  conditions  as  previously
discussed herein.


                                 PART I. ITEM 3
                     ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
           QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

     We are exposed to market risk,  including  adverse change in interest rates
and foreign currency exchange rates as discussed below.

INTEREST RATE RISK

     With the  interest  rate on our  long-term  debt under our  current  credit
facilities at a floating rate, the outstanding long-term debt of $199 million at
December 31, 2003 approximates its fair value. The impact on annual cash flow of
a 10% change in the  floating  rate  (approximately  40 basis  points)  would be
approximately  $0.8  million.  We did not  have any  open  derivative  contracts
relating to our floating rate debt at December 31, 2003.

FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK

     Certain of our  subsidiaries  have monetary assets and liabilities that are
denominated  in a  currency  other than their  functional  currencies.  Based on
December  31,  2003  amounts,  a  decrease  in the  value of 10% in the  foreign
currencies  relative to the U.S.  dollar from the year-end  exchange rates would
result in a foreign currency  transaction loss of approximately $0.1 million. We
did not have any open  derivative  contracts  relating to foreign  currencies at
December 31, 2003.


                                 PART I. ITEM 4
                     ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                             CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


(a)      Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

     Our management,  with the  participation of our Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial  Officer,  evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure control
and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that
evaluation , the Chief Executive  Officer and Chief Financial  Officer concluded
that our disclosure  controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered
by this report have been  designed and are  functioning  effectively  to provide
reasonable  assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in our
periodic SEC Filing is recorded,  process,  summarized  and reported  within the
time periods  specified in the SEC's rules and forms. We believe that a controls
system,  no matter how well  designed  and  operated,  cannot  provide  absolute
assurance that the objectives of the controls  system are met, and no evaluation
of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances
of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.

(b)      Change in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

     No change in our internal control over financial  reporting occurred during
the fiscal quarter  covered by this report that has materially  affected,  or is
reasonably  likely to materially  affect,  our internal  control over  financial
reporting.







                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
                     ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


ITEM 6.   EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)      Exhibits

         3.1.1    Restated Articles of Incorporation dated January 1972
                  (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 of our Form
                  10-K for the year ended September 30, 2002).

         3.1.2    Articles of Amendment filed March 1975 (Incorporated herein by
                  reference to Exhibit 3.1.2 of our Form 10-K for the year ended
                  September 30, 2002).

         3.1.3    Articles of Amendment dated March 1992 (Incorporated herein by
                  reference to Exhibit 3.1.3 of our Form 10-K for the year ended
                  September 30, 2002).

         3.1.4    Articles of Amendment dated November 1997 (Incorporated herein
                  by reference to Exhibit 3.1.4 of our Form 10-K for the year
                  ended September 30, 2002).

         3.1.5    Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior Participating
                  Preferred Stock of Atwood Oceanics, Inc. dated October 17,
                  2002 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.5 of our
                  Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2002).

          3.2     Bylaws, as amended and restated, dated January 1993
                  (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of our Form
                  10-K for the year ended September 30, 1993).

          4.1     Rights Agreement dated effective October 18, 2002 between the
                  Company and Continental Stock & Transfer & Trust Company
                  (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of our Form
                  8-A filed October 21, 2002).

         10.1     Third Amendment to Credit Agreement dated November 12, 2003
                  between the Company and Nordea Bank Finland plc, and other
                  Financial Institutions (Incorporated herein by reference to
                  Exhibit 99.2 of our Form 8-K filed November 13, 2003).

        *31.1     Certification of Chief Executive Officer

        *31.2     Certification of Chief Financial Officer

        *32.1     Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section
                  906 of Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002.

        *32.2     Certificate of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section
                  906 of Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002.

      *Filed herewith


(b)           Reports on Form 8-K

        1) On October 1, 2003, we furnished a report on Form 8-K announcing
           that the ATWOOD EAGLE had completed its contractual work for
           ExxonMobil and was preparing to commence a one-well program for
           CNR Ranger (Angola) Limited and that the ATWOOD HUNTER was
           expected to complete its one-well program in Israel in early
           October 2003.

        2) On October 6, 2003, we furnished a report on Form 8-K announcing
           that the ATWOOD SOUTHERN CROSS had been awarded a contract by
           Cairn Energy India Pty. and that the RICHMOND has been awarded two
           additional wells by Union Oil Company of California.

        3) On October 31, 2003, we furnished a report on Form 8-K announcing
           that the ATWOOD HUNTER had been awarded a contract by MP Zarat to
           drill one-well offshore Tunisia.

        4) On November 13, 2003, we filed a report on Form 8-K announcing
           that we had executed a third amendment to our $250 million senior
           secured credit facility.


        5) On November 18, 2003, we furnished a report on Form 8-K announcing
           our earnings for the quarter and year ended September 30, 2003,
           along with supporting information.

        6) On December 12, 2003, we filed a report on Form 8-K announcing
           that the ATWOOD HUNTER had been awarded a contract by Burullus Gas
           Company to drill ten firm wells, plus options to drill six
           additional wells of the coast of Egypt and that the ATWOOD EAGLE
           had commitments from BHP Billition Petroleum and Apache Company
           Limited to enter into contracts to drill three firm wells, plus
           options for four additional wells, off the coast of Australia.





                                   SIGNATURES


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



                                         ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC.
                                         (Registrant)




Date:  February 11, 2004                 /s/JAMES M. HOLLAND
                                         ------------------
                                         James M. Holland
                                         Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
                                         Officer and Chief Accounting Officer








                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT NO.                             DESCRIPTION
- ----------                             -------------

         3.1.1    Restated Articles of Incorporation dated January 1972
                  (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 of our Form
                  10-K for the year ended September 30, 2002).

         3.1.2    Articles of Amendment filed March 1975 (Incorporated herein by
                  reference to Exhibit 3.1.2 of our Form 10-K for the year ended
                  September 30, 2002).

         3.1.3    Articles of Amendment dated March 1992 (Incorporated herein by
                  reference to Exhibit 3.1.3 of our Form 10-K for the year ended
                  September 30, 2002).

         3.1.4    Articles of Amendment dated November 1997 (Incorporated herein
                  by reference to Exhibit 3.1.4 of our Form 10-K for the year
                  ended September 30, 2002).

         3.1.5    Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior Participating
                  Preferred Stock of Atwood Oceanics, Inc. dated October 17,
                  2002 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.5 of our
                  Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2002).

         3.2      Bylaws, as amended and restated, dated January 1, 1993
                  (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of our Form
                  10-K for the year ended September 30, 1993).

         4.1      Rights Agreement dated effective October 18, 2002 between the
                  Company and Continental Stock & Transfer & Trust Company
                  (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of our Form
                  8-A filed October 21, 2002).

         10.1     Third Amendment to Credit Agreement dated November 12, 2003
                  between the Company and Nordea Bank Finland plc, and other
                  Financial Institutions (Incorporated herein by reference to
                  Exhibit 99.2 of our Form 8-K filed November 13, 2003).

         *31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer

         *31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer

         *32.1    Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section
                  906 of Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002.

         *32.2    Certificate of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section
                  906 of Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002.


      *Filed herewith







                                  EXHIBIT 31.1

                                 CERTIFICATIONS

I, John R. Irwin, certify that:

        1.   I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Atwood
             Oceanics, Inc.;

        2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue
             statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
             necessary to make the statements made, in light of the
             circumstances under which such statements were made, not
             misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

        3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other
             financial information included in this report, fairly present
             in all material respects the financial condition, results of
             operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for,
             the periods presented in this report;

        4.   The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are
             responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure
             controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules
             13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

             (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or
             caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed
             under our supervision, to ensure that material information
             relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
             subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
             entities, particularly during the period in which this report
             is being prepared;

             (b) [Paragraph omitted in accordance with SEC transition
             instructions contained in SEC Release 34-47986]; and

             (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure
             controls and procedures and presented in this report our
             conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls
             and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this
             report based on such evaluation; and

             (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's
             internal control over financial reporting that occurred during
             the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's
             fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that
             has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially
             affect, the registrant's internal control over financial
             reporting; and

        5.   The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have
             disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal
             control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors
             and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors
             (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

             (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in
             the design or operation of internal control over financial
             reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the
             registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report
             financial information; and (b) Any fraud, whether or not
             material, that involves management or other employees who have
             a significant role in the registrant's internal control over
             financial reporting.

Date: February 11, 2004

                  /s/ JOHN R. IRWIN
                  John R. Irwin
                  Chief Executive Officer








                                  EXHIBIT 31.2

                                 CERTIFICATIONS

I, James M. Holland, certify that:

        1.    I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Atwood
              Oceanics, Inc.;

        2.    Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue
              statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
              necessary to make the statements made, in light of the
              circumstances under which such statements were made, not
              misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

        3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other
              financial information included in this report, fairly present in
              all material respects the financial condition, results of
              operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the
              periods presented in this report;

        4.    The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible
              for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and
              procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and
              15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

                  (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or
                  caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed
                  under our supervision, to ensure that material information
                  relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
                  subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
                  entities, particularly during the period in which this report
                  is being prepared;

                  (b) [Paragraph omitted in accordance with SEC transition
                  instructions contained in SEC Release 34-47986]; and

                  (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure
                  controls and procedures and presented in this report our
                  conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls
                  and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this
                  report based on such evaluation; and

                  (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's
                  internal control over financial reporting that occurred during
                  the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's
                  fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that
                  has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially
                  affect, the registrant's internal control over financial
                  reporting; and

         5.   The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have
              disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal
              control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors
              and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors
              (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

                  (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in
                  the design or operation of internal control over financial
                  reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the
                  registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report
                  financial information; and (b) Any fraud, whether or not
                  material, that involves management or other employees who have
                  a significant role in the registrant's internal control over
                  financial reporting.

Date: February 11, 2004

                  /s/ JAMES M. HOLLAND
                  James M. Holland
                  Chief Financial Officer









                                  EXHIBIT 32.1


                    CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                       PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002



     In  connection  with the  Quarterly  Report of Atwood  Oceanics,  Inc. (the
"Company")  on Form 10-Q for the period ended  December 31, 2003,  as filed with
the Securities  and Exchange  Commission on the date hereof (the  "Report"),  I,
John R. Irwin, Chief Executive Officer of the Company,  certify,  pursuant to 18
U.S.C.  ss.1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:

(1)      The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
         15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)      The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
         material respects, the financial condition and results of
         operations of the Company for the periods presented.



Date:    February 11, 2004            /s/ JOHN R. IRWIN
                                      John R. Irwin
                                      President and Chief Executive Officer









                                  EXHIBIT 32.2


                    CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                       PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002



In connection with the Quarterly Report of Atwood Oceanics, Inc. (the "Company")
on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2003, as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, James
M. Holland, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18
U.S.C. ss.1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:

(1)      The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
         15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)      The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
         material respects, the financial condition and results of
         operations of the Company for the periods presented.



Date:    February 11, 2004              /s/JAMES M. HOLLAND
                                        James M. Holland
                                        Senior Vice President and
                                        Chief Financial Officer