<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>
<RESTATED>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                          10,306
<SECURITIES>                                     5,041
<RECEIVABLES>                                   74,496
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     15,330
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               115,774
<PP&E>                                         718,409
<DEPRECIATION>                                 216,131
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 618,052
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           52,251
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           500
<OTHER-SE>                                     492,394
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   618,052
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               336,584
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  259,560<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                65,373<F2>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              27,052
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (13,803)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (6,777)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (7,026)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (7,026)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.10<F3><F4>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.10<F3><F4>
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDES CONTRACT DRILLING EXPENSES ONLY.
<F2>INCLUDES OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES.
<F3>PER SHARE AMOUNTS REFLECT THE RETROACTIVE EFFECT OF THE TWO-FOR-ONE STOCK
SPLIT IN THE FORM OF A STOCK DIVIDEND TO STOCKHOLDERS OF RECORD ON JULY 24,
1997.
<F4>EARNINGS PER SHARE IS PRESENTED ON A PRO FORMA BASIS ASSUMING THE COMPANY'S
INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING HAD OCCURRED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD. NET LOSS
WAS ADJUSTED FOR THE AFTER-TAX EFFECTS OF A REDUCTION IN INTEREST EXPENSE.
</FN>