<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF R&B FALCON CORPORATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000             SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                             259                     646
<SECURITIES>                                        74                      32
<RECEIVABLES>                                      280                     263
<ALLOWANCES>                                        15                      19
<INVENTORY>                                         69                      45
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   710                   1,000
<PP&E>                                           4,612                   4,115
<DEPRECIATION>                                     781                     625
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,841                   4,913
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              331                     269
<BONDS>                                          2,901                   2,943
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              316                     264
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             2                       2
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,151                   1,248
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,841                   4,913
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   721                     685
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      598                     639
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 163                     117
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (36)                    (38)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       (8)                    (14)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (41)                    (33)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                     (2)
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (81)                    (56)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (.42)                   (.29)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.42)                   (.29)


</TABLE>