<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements of R&B Falcon Corporation for the six months ended
June 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>                   6-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000             JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                             295                     506
<SECURITIES>                                        65                     176
<RECEIVABLES>                                      209                     232
<ALLOWANCES>                                        17                      19
<INVENTORY>                                         69                      44
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   656                     980
<PP&E>                                           4,496                   3,992
<DEPRECIATION>                                     747                     593
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,748                   4,712
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              296                     268
<BONDS>                                          2,910                   2,710
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              302                     252
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             2                       2
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,120                   1,281
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,748                   4,712
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   419                     470
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      418                     429
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 103                      71
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (93)                     (9)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (28)                     (3)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (68)                    (13)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (95)                    (22)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (.49)                   (.11)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.49)                   (.11)


</TABLE>