<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements of R&B Falcon Corporation for the three months ended March
31, 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>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000             MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                             276                     545
<SECURITIES>                                       154                      34
<RECEIVABLES>                                      223                     252
<ALLOWANCES>                                        20                      14
<INVENTORY>                                         61                      40
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   721                     902
<PP&E>                                           4,420                   3,781
<DEPRECIATION>                                     704                     551
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,784                   4,447
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              280                     257
<BONDS>                                          2,919                   2,714
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              289                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             2                       2
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,154                   1,251
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,784                   4,447
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   208                     244
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      215                     211
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  52                      28
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (54)                       9
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (17)                       3
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (39)                       2
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (52)                       2
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (.27)                     .01
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.27)                     .01


</TABLE>