<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, 1999 and 1998 as restated  to reflect the recontinuance of the
oil  and gas  operations for  the six months ended June 30, 1998 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-31-1999             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999             JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                             681                     133
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      227                     259
<ALLOWANCES>                                        21                      10
<INVENTORY>                                         44                      21
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   973                     421
<PP&E>                                           3,990                   2,518
<DEPRECIATION>                                     593                     466
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,707                   2,531
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              275                     273
<BONDS>                                          2,710                   1,173
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              244                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             2                       2
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,281                     860
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,707                   2,531
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   470                     560
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      429                     333
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  71                      29
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    (9)                     204
<INCOME-TAX>                                       (3)                      78
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (11)                     121
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       9
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    (2)                    (22)
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (22)                     108
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (.11)                     .66
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.11)                     .66


</TABLE>