-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
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,
 RlWRyywAvKl/jQaaKhZuKoyhmHH8JlgdYU1UpMijblruIAy7nlzSbWMfwgI34MGI
 0mAEhMa5Jc2k7bv2cFHwJQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001241921-09-000051.txt : 20090522
<SEC-HEADER>0001241921-09-000051.hdr.sgml : 20090522
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090518173244
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001241921-09-000051
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090512
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090518
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090518

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HANKS STEPHEN G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001206934

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08430
		FILM NUMBER:		09837638

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 73
		CITY:			BOISE
		STATE:			ID
		ZIP:			83729

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>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-05-12</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001206934</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HANKS STEPHEN G</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>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>275</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks>Exhibit List - Exhibit 24 - Power of Attorney</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Liane K. Hinrichs, by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-05-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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