<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's financial statements and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such financial statements.

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                         340,255
<SECURITIES>                                   606,435
<RECEIVABLES>                                  119,434
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     39,993
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,146,219
<PP&E>                                       2,515,257
<DEPRECIATION>                                 690,499
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,062,952
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          103,623
<BONDS>                                        803,156
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,394
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,834,468
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,062,952
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               311,145
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  203,706
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                85,427
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,841
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 51,101
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,976
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             33,125
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    33,125
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.24

<F1>Includes contract drilling expenses only.
<F2>Includes other operating expenses.