<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 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>                                         106,572
<SECURITIES>                                   511,578
<RECEIVABLES>                                  129,759
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     39,145
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               815,794
<PP&E>                                       2,418,810
<DEPRECIATION>                                 655,014
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,661,195
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          103,671
<BONDS>                                        400,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,394
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,845,204
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,661,195
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               167,828
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  100,823<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                42,895<F2>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,234
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 45,426
<INCOME-TAX>                                    15,938
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             29,488
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    29,488
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.21
<FN>
<F1>Includes contract drilling expenses only.
<F2>Includes other operating expenses.
</FN>