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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>0001140361-09-029327.txt : 20091216
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-09-029327.hdr.sgml : 20091216
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20091216155202
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-09-029327
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20091215
FILED AS OF DATE:		20091216
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20091216

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Saltiel Robert J.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001434402

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13167
		FILM NUMBER:		091244537

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4 GREENWAY PLAZA
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77046

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>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-12-15</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000008411</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ATWOOD OCEANICS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ATW</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001434402</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Saltiel Robert J.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>15835 PARK TEN PLACE DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77084</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President &amp; CEO</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Atwood Oceanics, Inc. Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>55741</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Atwood Oceanics, Inc. Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>27871</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares of common stock were granted as Restricted Stock Awards under the Atwood Oceanics, Inc. 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan.  One hundred percent (100%) of the restricted stock awards vest at the end of three (3) years.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These shares of common stock were granted as Restricted Stock Awards under the Atwood Oceanics, Inc. 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan.  One hundred percent (100%) of the restricted stock awards vest at the end of four (4) years</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Robert J. Saltiel</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-12-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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