-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 fnkfmbZKomOa8YihKat+nA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001241921-06-000068.txt : 20060614
<SEC-HEADER>0001241921-06-000068.hdr.sgml : 20060614
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060614182536
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001241921-06-000068
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060612
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060614
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060614

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DEASON ROBERT A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001232307

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08430
		FILM NUMBER:		06905770

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1450 POYDRAS ST
		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:		777 N. ELDRIDGE PARKWAY
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77079
		BUSINESS PHONE:		281-870-5000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		777 N. ELDRIDGE PARKWAY
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77079
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-06-12</periodOfReport>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001232307</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DEASON ROBERT A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O MCDERMOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>777 N. ELDRIDGE PARKWAY</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77079</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Pres&amp;COO-J. Ray McDermott, SA</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-06-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>6000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>2.10</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>144964</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-06-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>6000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>138964</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2998</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>401(K) Shares</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>2.10</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-06-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>6000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-04-02</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>6000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>45000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The sales and underlying exercise were effected pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan adopted by the reporting person on May 27, 2005.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The stock was sold in multiple transactions at the following prices: 100 shares @ $45.23; 100 shares @ $45.11; 100 shares @ $44.99; 200 shares @ 44.85; 200 shares @ $44.58; 400 shares @ $44.48; 200 shares @ $44.47; 200 shares @ $44.37; 300 shares @ $43.99; 200 shares @ $43.95; 200 shares @ $43.91; 100 shares @ $43.63; 200 shares @ $43.60; 200 shares @ $43.59; 100 shares @ $43.57; 200 shares @ $43.56; 400 shares @ $43.55; 100 shares @ $43.53; 200 shares @ $43.44; 100 shares @ $43.22; 200 shares @ $43.15; 100 shares @ $43.03; 100 shares @ $42.99; 200 shares @ $42.98; 300 shares @ $42.97; 100 shares @ $42.96; 100 shares @ $42.95; 100 shares @ $42.94; 100 shares @ $42.92; 100 shares @ $42.86; 100 shares @ $42.85; 100 shares @ $42.83; 100 shares @ $42.81; 100 shares @ $42.79; 100 shares @ $42.77; 100 shares @ $42.75; 100 shares @ $42.60; and 100 shares @ $42.59.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The reporting person's ownership of common stock has been adjusted to reflect the 3-for-2 stock split that occurred on May 31, 2006.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Based upon units held in 401K Plan and the fair market value of Common Stock as of June 12, 2006.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">This option was previously reported as covering 100,000 shares at an exercise price of $3.15 per share, but was adjusted to relfect the 3-for-2 stock split that occurred on May 31, 2006.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">The options provided for vesting in three equal installments, on April 2, 2004, 2005 and 2006.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Liane K. Hinrichs, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-06-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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