UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED: March 23, 2005

HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

State of Incorporation: Delaware

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-4221

Internal Revenue Service — Employer Identification No. 73-0679879

1437 South Boulder Avenue, Suite 1400, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119
(918)742-5531

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

	ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
Press Release

ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS

     On March 23, 2005, Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (“Registrant”) issued a press release announcing the Registrant’s plan to operate 10 new drilling rigs for a customer of Registrant. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99 to this Report on Form 8-K.

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly authorized the undersigned to sign this report on its behalf.

HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.
(Registrant)

/s/ Steven R. Mackey
Steven R. Mackey
Vice President

DATE: March 23, 2005

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
99	Helmerich & Payne, Inc. press release dated March 23, 2005

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