-----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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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000008411-03-000066.txt : 20031205
<SEC-HEADER>0000008411-03-000066.hdr.sgml : 20031205
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031205112524
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000008411-03-000066
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031204
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031205

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			IRWIN JOHN R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001214235

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13167
		FILM NUMBER:		031039475

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P/O. BOX 218350
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77218

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ATWOOD OCEANICS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000008411
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	DRILLING OIL & GAS WELLS [1381]
		IRS NUMBER:				741611874
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			TX
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		15835 PARK TEN PL DR
		STREET 2:		SUITE 200
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77084
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2817497845

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		15835 PARK TEN PL DR
		STREET 2:		SUITE 200
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77084
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4john120503_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!-- - EDGAR Ease Plus 1.0                                   07/25/03  TT    -->
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
   <periodOfReport>2003-12-04</periodOfReport>
   <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000008411</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ATWOOD OCEANICS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ATW</issuerTradingSymbol>
   </issuer>
   <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001214235</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>IRWIN JOHN R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>P/O. BOX 218350</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77218</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>0</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>0</isOther>
         <officerTitle>President</officerTitle>
      </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
 <derivativeTable>
   <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Atwood Oceanics Incentive Stock Options</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
         <value>27.00</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2003-12-04</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>40000</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionPricePerShare>
           <value>27.00</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
         </transactionPricePerShare>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>D</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
         <value>2013-12-03</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
         <underlyingSecurityTitle>
           <value>Common Stock</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
         </underlyingSecurityTitle>
         <underlyingSecurityShares>
           <value>40000</value>
         </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>40000</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
           <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeTransaction>
 </derivativeTable>
   <footnotes>
      <footnote id="F1"> These options were granted under the Atwood Oceanics, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan which was effective as of December 6, 2001. Twenty-five percent (25%) of such options become exercisable at end of one year, two years, three years and four years, respectively from the date of grant.</footnote>
   </footnotes>
   <ownerSignature>
      <signatureName>John R. Irwin</signatureName>
      <signatureDate>2003-12-05</signatureDate>
   </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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