<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MCDERMOTT
INTERNATIONAL'S MARCH 31, 1998 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-31-1998 
<PERIOD-END>                                                       MAR-31-1998 
<CASH>                                                                 277,876 
<SECURITIES>                                                               135 
<RECEIVABLES>                                                          626,425 
<ALLOWANCES>                                                            75,873 
<INVENTORY>                                                            302,890 
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                     1,596,556 
<PP&E>                                                               1,715,352 
<DEPRECIATION>                                                       1,181,658 
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                       4,501,130 
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                1,461,126 
<BONDS>                                                                598,182 
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                        0 
<PREFERRED>                                                              2,875 
<COMMON>                                                                56,608 
<OTHER-SE>                                                             620,290 
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                         4,501,130 
<SALES>                                                              3,674,635 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                     3,674,635 
<CGS>                                                                3,483,625 
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                        3,483,625 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                             0 
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                             0 
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                      81,454 
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                        291,807 
<INCOME-TAX>                                                            76,117 
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                    215,690 
<DISCONTINUED>                                                               0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                              0 
<CHANGES>                                                                    0 
<NET-INCOME>                                                           215,690 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                             3.74 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                             3.48