<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ROWAN COMPANIES, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS
ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 INCLUDED IN ITS FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD THEN
ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                        $197,487
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   87,387
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    109,398
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               416,959
<PP&E>                                       2,024,651
<DEPRECIATION>                                 938,686
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,516,397
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           89,252
<BONDS>                                        315,105
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        11,719
<OTHER-SE>                                     967,714
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,516,397
<SALES>                                         22,091
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               127,730
<CGS>                                           15,252
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  117,525
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,342
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,740
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,636
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,104
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,104
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.07
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.07