<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, 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.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          75,233
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  114,323
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     90,344
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               304,345
<PP&E>                                       1,314,473
<DEPRECIATION>                                 797,775
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 857,154
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           96,953
<BONDS>                                        238,402
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        10,872
<OTHER-SE>                                     460,363
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   857,154
<SALES>                                         97,455
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               418,657
<CGS>                                           80,284
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  366,156
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              19,444
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 38,703
<INCOME-TAX>                                       971
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             37,732
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    37,732
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.43