<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MCDERMOTT
INTERNATIONAL'S MARCH 31, 1997 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         257,783
<SECURITIES>                                    75,946
<RECEIVABLES>                                  654,065
<ALLOWANCES>                                   106,983
<INVENTORY>                                    392,834
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,834,327
<PP&E>                                       1,764,300
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,164,555
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,599,482
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,608,756
<BONDS>                                        667,174
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      2,875
<COMMON>                                        54,937
<OTHER-SE>                                     379,189
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,599,482
<SALES>                                      3,150,850
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,150,850
<CGS>                                        3,293,471
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                3,293,471
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              95,100
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (220,697)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (14,592)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (206,105)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (206,105)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (3.92)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (3.92)