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

                                  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 MARCH 31, 2004
                         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 April 30, 2004:  13,856,701 shares of Common Stock $1 par
value

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





                                      ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC.

                                           FORM 10-Q

                             For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2004

                                            INDEX


Part I. Financial Information
                                                                                         

        Item 1. Unaudited Financial Statements                                               Page

        a)       Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
                 For the Three Months and Six Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003..............4

        b)       Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                 As of March 31, 2004 and September 30, 2003....................................5

        c)       Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                 For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003...............................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.......................................................17

Part II. Other Information

        Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders...........................18

        Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K..............................................19

Signatures.....................................................................................21







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


     This Form 10-Q for the  quarterly  period  ended  March 31,  2004  includes
"forward-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 the Company's  financial  position,
business  strategy,  budgets and plans and  objectives of management  for future
operations are  forward-looking  statements.  These  forward-looking  statements
involve  risks and  uncertainties  that may cause the  Company's  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               Six Months Ended
                                                         March 31,                        March 31,
                                                 ------------------------        -------------------------
                                                   2004             2003            2004            2003
                                                 ------           ------         -------         -------
                                                       (Unaudited)                      (Unaudited)
                                                                                       
REVENUES:
         Contract drilling                      $ 36,810          $ 35,073        $ 72,135       $ 64,914
                                                --------          --------        --------       --------

COSTS AND EXPENSES:
         Contract drilling                        21,414            24,114          43,947         43,459
         Depreciation                              7,847             5,850          15,689         11,242
         General and administrative                2,987             3,119           5,675          5,799
                                                --------          --------         -------        -------
                                                  32,248            33,083          65,311         60,500
                                                --------          --------        --------        -------

OPERATING INCOME                                   4,562             1,990           6,824          4,414
                                                --------          --------        --------        -------

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
         Interest expense                         (2,334)             (598)         (4,668)          (711)
         Interest income                               7                36              15             99
                                                --------          --------        --------        -------
                                                  (2,327)             (562)         (4,653)          (612)
                                                --------          --------        --------        -------

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                         2,235             1,428           2,171          3,802
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES                         1,773               841           3,613          2,265
                                                --------          ---------       --------       --------
NET INCOME (LOSS)                               $    462          $    587        $ (1,442)      $  1,537
                                                ========          ========        ========       ========

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE:
              Basic                             $    .03          $    .04        $   (.10)      $    .11
              Diluted                           $    .03          $    .04        $   (.10)      $    .11


WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF
   COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
            Basic                                 13,855            13,845           13,855        13,846
            Diluted                               14,019            13,900           13,855        13,903


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)


                                                March 31,       September 30,
                                                   2004              2003
                                              ------------     ---------------
                                                           (Unaudited)
ASSETS

   CURRENT ASSETS:
       Cash and cash equivalents                 $ 10,369         $ 21,551
       Accounts receivable                         32,710           30,864
       Income tax receivable                        3,278            3,278
       Inventories of materials and supplies,
         at lower of average cost or market        12,359           12,583
       Deferred tax assets                            550              550
       Prepaid expenses and other                   8,280            7,186
                                                 --------         --------

                Total Current Assets               67,546           76,012
                                                 --------         --------


    NET PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT                    429,824          443,102
                                                 --------         --------

    DEFERRED COSTS AND OTHER ASSETS                 4,032            3,560
                                                 --------         --------
                                                 $501,402         $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)


                                                                            March 31,          September 30,
                                                                             2004                  2003
                                                                          -----------          -------------
                                                                                     (Unaudited)
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

                                                                                            
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
        Current maturities of notes payable                                  $ 30,000             $  24,000
        Accounts payable                                                        4,184                10,403
        Accrued liabilities                                                     8,326                 8,851
        Deferred credits                                                        6,307                 6,695
                                                                             --------             ---------
                   Total Current Liabilities                                   48,817                49,949
                                                                             --------             ---------


LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities:                                    163,000               181,000
                                                                             --------              --------

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
        Deferred income taxes                                                  20,468                21,217
        Deferred credits and other                                              7,041                 7,041
                                                                             --------              --------
                                                                               27,509                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 13,857,000
            and 13,851,000 shares issued and outstanding
            at March 31, 2004 and September 30, 2003, respectively             13,857                13,851
         Paid-in-capital                                                       57,449                57,404
         Retained earnings                                                    190,770               192,212

                Total Shareholders' Equity                                    262,076               263,467
                                                                             --------              --------
                                                                             $501,402              $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)

                                                                                       Six Months Ended March 31,
                                                                                   -------------------------------
                                                                                        2004               2003
                                                                                   -----------          ----------
                                                                                               (Unaudited)

                                                                                                  
   CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
       Net Income (loss)                                                              $ (1,442)         $  1,537
                                                                                      --------          --------
         Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
         provided (used) by operating activities:
              Depreciation                                                              15,689            11,242
              Amortization of debt issuance costs                                          344               203
              Amortization of deferred items                                               239               170
              Deferred income tax provision (benefit)                                     (750)              350
         Changes in assets and liabilities:
              Increase in accounts receivable                                           (1,846)           (2,027)
              (Increase) decrease in inventory                                             224            (1,498)
              Decrease in prepaids and other                                             3,234             3,386
              Increase in deferred costs and other assets                                 (687)             (134)
              Decrease in accounts payable                                              (6,219)           (1,887)
              Decrease in accrued liabilities                                             (525)           (2,210)
              Net mobilization fees and credits                                         (4,714)           (7,794)
                                                                                     ---------          --------
                                                                                         4,989              (199)
                                                                                     ---------          --------
                Net cash provided by operating activities                                3,547             1,338
                                                                                     ---------          --------

CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
        Capital expenditures                                                            (2,394)          (66,384)
        Other                                                                              (17)                7
                                                                                     ---------           -------
               Net cash used by investing activities                                    (2,411)          (66,377)
                                                                                     ---------           -------


CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACITIVITES:
        Proceeds from credit facilities                                                    ---            57,500
        Debt issuance costs paid                                                          (369)             (667)
        Principal payments on debt                                                     (12,000)           (3,593)
        Proceeds from exercises of stock options                                            51                10
                                                                                     ---------          --------
                Net cash provided (used) by financing activities                       (12,318)           53,250
                                                                                     ---------          --------

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                              (11,182)          (11,789)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, at beginning of period                                       21,551            27,055
                                                                                     ---------          --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, at end of period                                          $  10,369          $ 15,266
                                                                                     =========          ========
- ---------------------------
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
      Cash paid for domestic and foreign income taxes                                $   3,189         $   3,310
                                                                                     =========         =========
      Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized                             $   4,681         $     ---
                                                                                     =========         =========

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
March 31, 2004 and for each of the three month and six month periods ended March
31,  2004 and 2003,  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 year end 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.  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                    Six Months Ended
                                                            March 31,                          March 31,
                                                     ------------------                  --------------------------
                                                       2004           2003                2004                 2003
                                                     -------        -------              -------              -----
                                                                                                   
Net income (loss), as reported                      $   462         $  587               $(1,442)             $1,537
                                                    -------         ------               -------              ------
 Deduct:  Total stock-based employee
     compensation expense determined under
     fair value based method for all
     awards, net of related tax effects                (625)          (537)               (1,250)             (1,075)
                                                     ------         ------               -------              ------

Pro Forma, net income                               $  (163)        $   50              $ (2,692)            $   462
                                                    =======         ======              ========             =======
                  ==
Earnings (loss) per share:
     Basic - as reported                            $   .03         $  .04              $   (.10)            $   .11
     Basic - pro forma                              $  (.01)        $  ---              $   (.19)            $   .03

     Diluted - as reported                          $   .03         $  .04              $   (.10)            $   .11
     Diluted - pro forma                            $  (.01)        $  ---              $   (.19)            $   .03



3.    EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

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


                                                      Three Months Ended                    Six Months Ended
                                               --------------------------------      ----------------------------------
                                               Net                  Per Share        Net                     Per Share
                                               Income     Shares      Amount         Income      Shares        Amount
                                               ------     ------    ----------       ------      ------      ---------
March 31, 2004:
                                                                                            
          Basic earnings per share             $   462     13,855       $ .03     $(1,442)     13,855         $  (.10)
          Effect of dilutive securities-
                  Stock Options                    ---        164         ---         ---         ---             ---
                                               -------     ------       -----     -------     -------         -------

          Diluted earnings per share           $   462     14,019       $ .03     $(1,442)     13,855         $  (.10)
                                               =======     ======       =====     =======     =======         =======



March 31, 2003:
          Basic earnings per share             $   587     13,845       $ .04      $1,537      13,846         $   .11
          Effect of dilutive securities-
                  Stock Options                    ---         55         ---         ---          57             ---
                                               -------    -------       -----      ------      ------          ------

          Diluted earnings per share           $   587     13,900       $ .04      $1,537      13,903          $  .11
                                               =======     ======       =====      ======      ======          ======


     The  calculation of diluted  earnings per share for the three month and six
month periods ending March 31, 2004 excludes  consideration  of potential common
shares  related to 193,000  and all  outstanding  stock  options,  respectively,
because such options were anti-dilutive.  These options could potentially dilute
basic EPS in the future.







4.    PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

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

                                                March 31,       September 30,
                                                  2004               2003
                                           ----------------     ---------------

   Drilling vessels and related equipment
       Cost                                    $ 621,367         $ 618,943
       Accumulated depreciation                 (196,600)         (181,924)
                                               ---------         ---------
                                                 424,767           437,019
                                               ---------         ---------

   Drill pipe
       Cost                                       10,173            10,224
       Accumulated depreciation                   (6,668)           (6,010)
                                               ---------         ---------
       Net book value                              3,505             4,214
                                               ---------         ---------

   Furniture and other
       Cost                                        9,079             9,072
       Accumulated depreciation                   (7,527)           (7,203)
                                               ---------         ---------
       Net book value                              1,552             1,869
                                               ---------         ---------

             NET PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT        $ 429,824         $ 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 was reduced  and net income was  increased  for the
three months and six months ended March 31, 2004 by approximately  $300,000,  or
$.02 per share, and $600,000, or $.04 per share, respectively.


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.  We are in compliance with all
financial covenants at March 31, 2004.


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.

     During the current quarter,  we settled a dispute with a customer  relating
to operations  during fiscal year 1998.  We reserved  approximately  $600,000 to
drilling  costs to settle this dispute  during  fiscal year 2002. As the dispute
was  settled  with no  liability  or claims to be paid by us,  we  reversed  the
reserve and  recorded a  corresponding  reduction  to drilling  costs during the
current quarter.

7.  INCOME TAXES

     Virtually  all of our tax  provision  for the three  months  and six months
ended March 31,  2004 and 2003  relates to taxes in foreign  jurisdictions.  Our
consolidated  effective income tax rate for the current quarter and year-to-date
period is  significantly  higher as compared to the prior fiscal year  primarily
due to an increased level of operating  losses during the current fiscal year in
foreign jurisdictions with low or zero effective tax rates.




                                 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  deemed  reasonable  by the  Company.  The  Company 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.
The  Company's  periodic  reports  filed with the SEC should be consulted  for a
description of risk factors associated with an investment in the Company.

MARKET OUTLOOK

     The current  worldwide  utilization of offshore  drilling units is now over
80%. The utilization of jack-up drilling units continues as the strongest sector
of the market with the semisubmersible utilization remaining the weakest sector.
We  continue  to  emphasize  utilization  over higher  dayrates.  Our  equipment
utilization for the first half of fiscal year 2004 was 91%. Currently, all eight
of our active drilling units have contract commitments.  Despite incurring a net
loss in the  first  half of  fiscal  year  2004,  based  upon  current  contract
commitments,  we currently  expect to be profitable in the second half of fiscal
year 2004.

     During the quarter  ended March 31, 2004,  the ATWOOD EAGLE  completed  its
mobilization  from Angola to Australia;  the ATWOOD SOUTHERN CROSS completed its
mobilization  from  India to  Malaysia  after  previously  being  moved from the
Mediterranean to India;  and the ATWOOD FALCON  completed its mobilization  from
Malaysia to Japan.  The total costs  incurred in these  mobilizations  have been
reimbursed by our clients.  This is a significant  improvement  from fiscal year
2003,   where  we  incurred   approximately   $6  million  in  net  unreimbursed
mobilization  costs.  During  the March  2004  quarter  (excluding  mobilization
periods),  the ATWOOD EAGLE, ATWOOD SOUTHERN CROSS, and SEAHAWK had idle revenue
days of 37, 41 and 5,  respectively.  Our remaining five active  drilling units,
the  VICKSBURG,  ATWOOD FALCON,  ATWOOD BEACON,  ATWOOD HUNTER and RICHMOND were
fully utilized during the quarter.

     We expect  all eight of our  active  drilling  units to be highly  utilized
during the quarter ending June 30, 2004.  The ATWOOD HUNTER,  VICKSBURG and most
likely,  RICHMOND have current  contract  commitments  into fiscal year 2005. We
expect that the ATWOOD  EAGLE,  ATWOOD  FALCON,  ATWOOD  BEACON and SEAHAWK will
remain highly  utilized for the remainder of fiscal year 2004. The only drilling
unit with a high degree of  utilization  uncertainty,  especially for our fourth
quarter of fiscal  year 2004,  is the ATWOOD  SOUTHERN  CROSS.  We are  pursuing
contract  opportunities for the ATWOOD SOUTHERN CROSS with various clients.  The
rig's current contract has options solely  exercisable by the customers,  which,
if  exercised,   could  extend  the  rig's  contractual  commitment.  We  remain
optimistic  about the  longer-term  outlook  and  fundamentals  of the  offshore
drilling market, and believe that we are well positioned, in an improving market
environment, for increase in earnings and cash flows.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     Contract  revenues for the three months and six months ended March 31, 2004
increased 5% and 11%, respectively,  compared to the three months and six months
ended March 31, 2003. A comparative analysis of contract revenues is as follows:


                                                   CONTRACT REVENUES
                                                     (In Millions)
                            ------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Three Months Ended                  Six Months Ended
                                    March 31,                           March 31,
                            ----------------------------   -----------------------------
                             2004      2003     Variance    2004       2003     Variance
                             ----      ----     --------    ----       ----     --------
                                                               
ATWOOD BEACON                $ 4.7    $ ---     $  4.7     $ 9.1     $  ---      $  9.1
ATWOOD HUNTER                  5.8      3.5        2.3       8.4        9.9        (1.5)
ATWOOD EAGLE                   3.3      2.9        0.4       8.0        2.9         5.1
VICKSBURG                      6.3      5.9        0.4      12.2       12.3        (0.1)
RICHMOND                       2.3      2.1        0.2       4.5        4.1         0.4
ATWOOD FALCON                  7.8      8.9       (1.1)     13.8       15.9        (2.1)
SEAHAWK                        4.3      5.8       (1.5)      9.5       11.0        (1.5)
ATWOOD SOUTHERN CROSS          1.8      5.5       (3.7)      5.6        7.9        (2.3)
OTHER                          0.5      0.5         ---      1.0        0.9         0.1
                             -----    -----       -----    -----      -----      ------
                             $36.8    $35.1       $ 1.7    $72.1      $64.9      $  7.2
                             =====    =====       =====    =====      =====      ======



     The ATWOOD  BEACON was under  construction  during the three  month and six
month  periods of fiscal year 2003 and thus,  generated  no revenue  compared to
being  fully  utilized  during  fiscal  year 2004.  The ATWOOD  HUNTER was fully
utilized  during the second quarter of both fiscal years;  however,  the average
dayrate was  approximately  $65,000  for the second  quarter of fiscal year 2004
compared to approximately $40,000 for the same quarter of the prior fiscal year.
The decrease in revenue for the ATWOOD  HUNTER in the six month period is due to
being  utilized only five months in current  fiscal year compared to being fully
utilized in the prior fiscal year.  The increase in revenue for the ATWOOD EAGLE
during the six month period of fiscal year 2004 is due to the rig having  higher
utilization  during 2004 compared to 2003 due to the rig being upgraded and then
subsequently relocated to West Africa in fiscal year 2003. The ATWOOD FALCON was
fully  utilized  during  the  quarter  and for  approximately  160  days for the
year-to-date  period for both the current and prior  fiscal year.  However,  the
current fiscal year average dayrate is approximately $85,000 per day compared to
approximately $100,000 per day in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in revenue
for the SEAHAWK for the three month and six month  periods  ended March 31, 2004
is due to the  completion of amortizing the client  reimbursement  of its fiscal
year 2000  upgrade at the end of the first  quarter of the current  fiscal year.
The decrease in revenue for the quarter for the ATWOOD  SOUTHERN CROSS is due to
the rig being  utilized  for one month at  approximately  $35,000 per day in the
current  fiscal year compared to being fully  utilized at $60,000 per day in the
prior  fiscal  year.  The decrease in revenue for the six month period is due to
the rig being utilized for two months at approximately $35,000 per day plus $3.7
million of mobilization  revenue recognized  compared to being utilized for four
months at $60,000 per day in the prior fiscal year.

     Contract drilling costs for the three months and six months ended March 31,
2004  decreased  11% and  increased  1%,  respectively,  as compared to the same
periods in the prior fiscal year. An analysis of contract  drilling costs by rig
is as follows:


                                                    CONTRACT DRILLING COSTS
                                                        (In Millions)
                               ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Three Months Ended                  Six Months Ended
                                        March 31,                           March 31,
                               -----------------------------    -------------------------------
                                 2004      2003    Variance        2004       2003    Variance
                                -----      ----    --------        ----       ----    --------
                                                                      
ATWOOD BEACON                   $ 2.3      $ ---    $  2.3         $ 4.5      $ ---     $  4.5
ATWOOD EAGLE                      3.0        2.2       0.8           6.7        2.2        4.5
RICHMOND                          2.0        2.0        ---          3.9        4.1       (0.2)
VICKSBURG                         2.2        2.3      (0.1)          4.4        4.8       (0.4)
ATWOOD HUNTER                     2.9        3.3      (0.4)          5.8        6.8       (1.0)
SEAHAWK                           2.1        3.0      (0.9)          4.2        5.4       (1.2)
ATWOOD FALCON                     3.9        5.6      (1.7)          6.2        9.7       (3.5)
ATWOOD SOUTHERN CROSS             2.4        4.2      (1.8)          6.8        8.0       (1.2)
OTHER                             0.6        1.5      (0.9)          1.4        2.5       (1.1)
                                -----      -----    ------         -----      -----      -----
                                $21.4      $24.1    $ (2.7)        $43.9      $43.5      $ 0.4
                                =====      =====    ======         =====      =====      =====


     The ATWOOD  BEACON was under  construction  during the three  month and six
month periods of fiscal year 2003 and thus, incurred no operating costs compared
to a full  quarter  and six month  period of  operations  for fiscal  year 2004.
During the current fiscal year, the ATWOOD EAGLE  incurred  operating  costs for
two months and five months for the quarter and six month  period,  respectively,
compared to only one month of operating costs for both the quarter and six month
period  in the  prior  fiscal  year as the  rig  was  being  upgraded  and  then
subsequently  relocated  to West  Africa.  The  decrease in costs for the ATWOOD
HUNTER  for both the  quarter  and six  month  period is due to a  reduction  of
payroll costs and repairs and maintenance  items.  The decrease in costs for the
SEAHAWK during fiscal year 2004 is primarily due to lower repair and maintenance
costs in the current fiscal year compared to the prior fiscal year.  During most
of the first half of fiscal year 2003,  the ATWOOD FALCON  operated in Australia
at approximately  $20,000 per day higher operating costs than in Asia, where the
rig has worked during the first half of fiscal year 2004.  The decrease in costs
for the ATWOOD  SOUTHERN CROSS is due to the rig incurring lower operating costs
in India and Malaysia  during the current  fiscal year  compared to operating in
the higher cost area of Italy in the prior year along with  amortization  of the
planned maintenance and upgrade costs to meet Italian operating standards.  This
decrease is  partially  offset by  incurring  $1.6  million of boat towing costs
during the first  quarter of the  current  fiscal  year to  relocate  the rig to
India. The current quarter and  year-to-date  decrease in OTHER is primarily due
to the  settlement of a dispute with a customer which resulted in a reduction to
drilling costs of approximately $600,000.






An analysis of depreciation expense by rig for the three months and six months
ended March 31, 2004 as compared to the same periods in the prior fiscal year is
as follows:


                                                             DEPRECIATION EXPENSE
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 (In Millions)
                                         Three Months Ended                         Six Months Ended
                                             March 31,                                 March 31,
                                -------------------------------------    ---------------------------------------
                                 2004        2003         Variance         2004          2003        Variance
                                 --------    --------    -------------    ----------
                                                                                     
ATWOOD BEACON                    $ 1.3       $ ---          $ 1.3          $ 2.6        $ ---          $ 2.6
ATWOOD EAGLE                       1.2         0.4            0.8            2.5          0.4            2.1
VICKSBURG                          0.7         0.6            0.1            1.3          1.2            0.1
ATWOOD HUNTER                      1.4         1.3            0.1            2.7          2.7            ---
ATWOOD SOUTHERN CROSS              1.0         1.0            ---            2.1          2.0            0.1
ATWOOD FALCON                      0.7         0.7            ---            1.3          1.3            ---
SEAHAWK                            1.2         1.2            ---            2.5          2.3            0.2
RICHMOND                           0.2         0.5           (0.3)           0.4          0.9           (0.5)
OTHER                              0.1         0.2           (0.1)           0.3          0.4           (0.1)
                                 -----       -----          -----          -----        -----          -----
                                 $ 7.8       $ 5.9          $ 1.9          $15.7        $11.2          $ 4.5
                                 =====       =====          =====          =====        =====          =====



     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 year.

     The increase in net interest expense for the three months and six months of
fiscal year 2004  compared to the same  periods of fiscal year 2003 is due to an
increase in the average amount of debt  outstanding and to having no capitalized
interest  during fiscal year 2004 due to all upgrade and  construction  programs
being completed  during fiscal year 2003.  During the three months and six month
periods  ended March 31, 2003,  interest was  capitalized  in the amount of $1.8
million and $3.0 million,  respectively. No interest has been capitalized during
the current fiscal year.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     During the first six months of fiscal year 2004, we utilized  $10.9 million
of cash on hand at the  beginning  of the fiscal year plus $3.5 million net cash
provided by  operating  activities  to repay $12 million of  long-term  debt and
finance $2.4 million of capital expenditures.

     With  the  completion  of  the  ATWOOD  EAGLE  upgrade  and  ATWOOD  BEACON
construction  during fiscal year 2003, 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 to 10 million.  As we expect all of our 8
active  drilling  units to be highly  utilized  during the second half of fiscal
year 2004, net cash provided from operations is forecasted at $25 to $30 million
for this period. Including the $24 million required annual principal payments on
our  long-term  debt,  we feel that our expected net cash  provided by operating
activities will adequately meet all anticipated  cash funding  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.  We are in compliance with all
financial  covenants at March 31,  2004.  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.

     Virtually  all of our tax  provision  for the three  months  and six months
ended  March 31,  2004 and 2003  relates to taxes in foreign  jurisdiction.  Our
consolidated  effective income tax rate for the current quarter and year-to-date
period is  significantly  higher as compared to the prior fiscal year  primarily
due to an increased level of operating  losses during the current fiscal year in
foreign jurisdictions with low or zero effective tax rates.



                                 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 $193 million at
March 31, 2004  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 March 31, 2004.

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 March
31,  2004  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 $0.2 million. We did not have
any open derivative contracts relating to foreign currencies at March 31, 2004.







                                 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 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

     The Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on February 12, 2004,
at  which  the  shareholders  voted on the  election  of six  directors.  Of the
13,401,556  shares of Common Stock present in person or by proxy,  the number of
shares voted for or against in connection with the election of each director are
as follows:


NAME                                CAST FOR                   VOTES WITHHELD
- ----------------------             ----------                  --------------
Deborah A. Beck                    12,999,647                     401,909

Robert W. Burgess                  13,000,447                     401,109

George S. Dotson                   12,282,830                   1,118,726

Hans Helmerich                     12,388,030                   1,013,526

John R. Irwin                      13,065,434                     336,122

William J. Morrissey               12,999,647                     401,909






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 January 8, 2004, we furnished a report on Form 8-K
                  announcing that the ATWOOD FALCON had completed its
                  mobilization to Japan and was preparing to commence its
                  two-well drilling program for Japan Energy Development Co.
                  LTD, and that the ATWOOD HUNTER had commence its drilling
                  program for Burullus Gas Co. in Egypt, and the ATWOOD EAGLE
                  continued to prepare for its mobilization to Australia.

         2)       On January 29, 2004, we furnished a report of Form 8-K
                  announcing our earnings for the quarter ended December 31,
                  2003, along with supporting information.

         3)       On February 20, 2004, we furnished a report on Form 8-K
                  announcing that the ATWOOD SOUTHERN CROSS had a commitment
                  from Murphy Sarawak Oil Company to use the rig for a drilling
                  program in Malaysia which included two firm wells plus four
                  option wells, that the ATWOOD EAGLE had completed its
                  mobilization to Australia and had executed drilling contract
                  with BHP Billiton Petroleum and Apache Energy Limited, and
                  that the ATWOOD FALCON commenced drilling the last well under
                  its contract with Japan Energy Development CO. LTD.

         4)       On March 3, 2004, we filed a report on Form 8-K announcing
                  that ExxonMobil Exploration Production Malaysia had given
                  notice in accordance with the early termination provision of
                  the contract that they will terminate the SEAHAWK contract
                  upon completion of work in progress on June 29, 2004.

         5)       On March 9, 2004, we filed a report on Form 8-K announcing
                  that the RICHMOND had been awarded a contract by Bois D'ARC
                  Offshore Ltd. to drill one well plus deepen one well and
                  complete four wells in the United States Gulf of Mexico.

         6)       On March 16, 2004, we filed a report on Form 8-K announcing
                  that the VICKSBURG had been awarded a contract by Chevron
                  Offshore (Thailand) Limited for a drilling program offshore
                  Thailand.











                                   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:  May 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: May 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: May 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 March 31, 2004, 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:    May 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 March 31, 2004, 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:    May 11, 2004                         /s/JAMES M. HOLLAND
                                              James M. Holland
                                              Senior Vice President and
                                              Chief Financial Officer