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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 QObtmYaJ3KQ04USpsJ+74oG/4Eea4TV94Lf9OFMg01q0/m+tXTk2zwbZ6tNDr9GB
 ax0qYjIdOyufbP5bwrAAqg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001241921-05-000020.txt : 20050510
<SEC-HEADER>0001241921-05-000020.hdr.sgml : 20050510
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050510155951
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001241921-05-000020
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3/A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040713
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050510
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050510

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Robinson Keith G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001297321

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3/A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08430
		FILM NUMBER:		05816637

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		504-587-4597

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O MCDERMOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
		STREET 2:		1450 POYDRAS STREET
		CITY:			NEW ORLEANS
		STATE:			LA
		ZIP:			70112

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MCDERMOTT INTERNATIONAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000708819
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FABRICATED PLATE WORK (BOILER SHOPS) [3443]
		IRS NUMBER:				720593134
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			R1
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1450 POYDRAS ST
		CITY:			NEW ORLEANS
		STATE:			LA
		ZIP:			70112
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5045875400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1450 POYDRAS ST
		CITY:			NEW ORLEANS
		STATE:			LA
		ZIP:			70161
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3/A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-07-13</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2004-07-15</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000708819</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MCDERMOTT INTERNATIONAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MDR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001297321</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Robinson Keith G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O MCDERMOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1450 POYDRAS STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW ORLEANS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>LA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>70112</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Acting Corporate Controller</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Performance Units</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These performance units were erroneously omitted from the reporting person's original Form 3 filing.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The performance units vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant (granted on 4/2/03) on a percentage basis determined by the 10 day average stock price of the Issuer prior to such date, in accordance with the following schedule:  1) Avg. Stock Price $8.00 - Vesting Percentage 50%; 2) Avg. Stock Price $14.00 - Vesting Percentage - 100%; and 3) Avg. Stock Price $20.00 - Vesting Percentage - 150%.  No performance units vest if the average stock price is less than $8.00.  Vested units will be paid in cash in an amount equal to the number of vested units multiplied by the average stock price.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Liane K. Hinrichs, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-05-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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