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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 U4j/32jJRFCjEIYJGYyD68NikoNyev6i/HK6pTLHksaTf7XNedqxHifnrfAv7ftB
 pSBXjJZSqBkaJM+Cfi8fUg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001333750-05-000001.txt : 20050721
<SEC-HEADER>0001333750-05-000001.hdr.sgml : 20050721
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050721124710
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001333750-05-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050711
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050721
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050721

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ROWAN COMPANIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000085408
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	DRILLING OIL & GAS WELLS [1381]
		IRS NUMBER:				750759420
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2800 POST OAK BLVD.
		STREET 2:		SUITE 5450
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77056-6127
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7136217800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2800 POST OAK BOULEVARD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 5450
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77056-6127

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ROWAN DRILLING CO INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19711110

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ROWAN DRILLING CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19671112

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Woodall Terry D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001333750

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05491
		FILM NUMBER:		05965564

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		713-960-7541

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2800 POST OAK BLVD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 5450
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77056
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-07-11</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000085408</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ROWAN COMPANIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RDC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001333750</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Woodall Terry D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2800 POST OAK BLVD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 5450</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77056</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Terry D. Woodall</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-07-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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