<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ROWAN COMPANIES, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                          88,509
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   85,848
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     68,759
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               265,385
<PP&E>                                       1,261,319
<DEPRECIATION>                                 773,712
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 793,500
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           68,240
<BONDS>                                        248,278
<COMMON>                                        10,778
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     410,432
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   793,500
<SALES>                                         88,311
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               344,522
<CGS>                                           73,824
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  353,706
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              20,771
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (24,492)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       286
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (24,778)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (24,778)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.29)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.29)