<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>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          28,180
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  172,214
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     30,407
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               242,967
<PP&E>                                       1,471,085
<DEPRECIATION>                                 272,925
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,574,500
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          128,000
<BONDS>                                         63,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           684
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,194,048
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,574,500
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               611,430
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  341,654<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                56,285<F2>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,326
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                212,705
<INCOME-TAX>                                    66,317
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            146,388
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   146,388
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDES CONTRACT DRILLING EXPENSES ONLY.
<F2>INCLUDES OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES.
</FN>