<TABLE> <S> <C>

<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, 1999 and 1998 as restated to reflect the recontinuance of the oil
and gas operations for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 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-31-1999             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999             SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                             646                      67
<SECURITIES>                                        32                      82
<RECEIVABLES>                                      265                     255
<ALLOWANCES>                                        21                      11
<INVENTORY>                                         45                      28
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,000                     441
<PP&E>                                           4,115                   2,801
<DEPRECIATION>                                     625                     487
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,913                   2,793
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              276                     354
<BONDS>                                          2,943                   1,375
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              256                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             2                       2
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,248                     841
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,913                   2,793
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   685                     804
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      639                     599
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 117                      43
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (38)                     169
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (14)                      68
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (33)                      93
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                      17
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    (2)                    (22)
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (56)                      88
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (.29)                     .53
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.29)                     .53


</TABLE>