<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> <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1998 <CASH> 57,481 <SECURITIES> 326,789 <RECEIVABLES> 272,787 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 34,997 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 720,965 <PP&E> 1,894,738 <DEPRECIATION> 431,675 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,513,041 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 143,982 <BONDS> 400,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,393 <OTHER-SE> 1,690,659 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,513,041 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 609,586 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 241,436<F1> <OTHER-EXPENSES> 77,655<F2> <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,624 <INCOME-PRETAX> 297,078 <INCOME-TAX> 104,691 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 192,387 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 192,387 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.38 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.32 <FN> <F1>Includes contract drilling expenses only. <F2>Includes other operating expenses. </FN>