<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, 1999 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-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                          60,047
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   91,142
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    112,464
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               292,171
<PP&E>                                       1,923,734
<DEPRECIATION>                                 922,523
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,298,659
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           81,590
<BONDS>                                        368,154
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        11,128
<OTHER-SE>                                     708,967
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,298,659
<SALES>                                         66,401
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               339,145
<CGS>                                           52,409
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  353,532
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,503
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (17,825)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (5,802)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (12,023)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (12,023)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.14)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.14)