<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ROWAN COMPANIES, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 INCLUDED IN ITS FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD THEN
ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          63,595
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  109,043
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     88,165
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               277,565
<PP&E>                                       1,283,590
<DEPRECIATION>                                 785,986
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 815,652
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           81,818
<BONDS>                                        247,585
<COMMON>                                        10,864
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     436,315
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   815,652
<SALES>                                         64,282
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               263,974
<CGS>                                           51,957
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  239,751
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,252
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,484
<INCOME-TAX>                                       462
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,022
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,022
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.18