<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                         125,948
<SECURITIES>                                   755,706
<RECEIVABLES>                                  144,451
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     40,629
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,108,779
<PP&E>                                       2,597,037
<DEPRECIATION>                                 726,387
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,071,916
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           97,734
<BONDS>                                        806,655
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,394
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,835,289
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,071,916
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               468,493
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  315,000<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               128,353<F2>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,702
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 67,169
<INCOME-TAX>                                    23,567
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             43,602
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    43,602
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.32
<FN>
<F1>Includes contract drilling expenses only.
<F2>Includes other operating expenses.
</FN>