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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2
 
                  CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED ACCOUNTANTS
 
     We have issued our report dated January 20, 1997, accompanying the
financial statements of Bayard Drilling Technologies, Inc. contained in the Form
S-4 Registration Statement and Prospectus. We consent to the use of the
aforementioned report in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, and to the
use of our name as it appears under the caption "Experts".
 
                                                 /s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                     Grant Thornton LLP
 
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
July 20, 1998
 
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