<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, 1999 and 1998 as restated to reflect the recontinuance of the oil and gas
operations for the three months ended March 31, 1998 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-31-1999             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999             MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                             579                     118
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      243                     244
<ALLOWANCES>                                        12                       8
<INVENTORY>                                         40                      18
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   895                     388
<PP&E>                                           3,780                   2,249
<DEPRECIATION>                                     551                     446
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,442                   2,226
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              256                     299
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             2                       2
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,251                     820
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,442                   2,226
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   244                     279
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      211                     163
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  28                      13
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      9                     105
<INCOME-TAX>                                         3                      41
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  3                      62
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       8
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    (2)                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                         2                      70
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .01                     .42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .01                     .42
        

</TABLE>