EXHIBIT 99

ANNUAL CEO CERTIFICATION
(Section 303A.12(a))

As the Chief Executive Officer of  Rowan Companies, Inc.,   (Name of the Company)

     and as required by Section 303A.12(a) of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual, I hereby certify that as of the date hereof I am not aware of any violation by the Company of NYSE’s Corporate Governance listing standards, other than has been notified to the Exchange pursuant to Section 303A.12(b) and disclosed as Exhibit H to the Company’s Domestic Company Section 303A Annual Written Affirmation.

Signed By:	/s/ D. F. McNease
Title:	Chairman, President and CEO
Certification Is:	Without Qualification
Certification Date:	May 4, 2006