<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, 1997 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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          66,510
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  124,370
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    102,627
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               306,824
<PP&E>                                       1,421,292
<DEPRECIATION>                                 821,702
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 939,459
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           83,907
<BONDS>                                        253,734
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        10,958
<OTHER-SE>                                     534,318
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   939,459
<SALES>                                         68,620
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               309,550
<CGS>                                           51,387
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  251,528
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,431
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 51,922
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,711
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             48,211
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  3,478
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    44,733
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.51