SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED): MARCH 21, 2003 ROWAN COMPANIES, INC. (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) DELAWARE (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION) 1-5491 75-0759420 (COMMISSION FILE NUMBER ) (IRS EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.) 2800 POST OAK BOULEVARD SUITE 5450 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77056-6127 (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE, INCLUDING ZIP CODE) (713) 621-7800 (REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE) Item 5. Other Events Rowan Companies, Inc. (the "Company"), has appointed Computershare Trust Co, Inc., as successor rights agent to replace the existing Rights Agent, Citibank, N.A., under the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated January 24, 2002 (the "Rights Agreement"). The Company has amended the Rights Agreement to reflect this replacement. Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits (c) Exhibits Exhibit Number Exhibit Description ------ ------------------- 4.1 Restated First Amendment dated March 17, 2003 to the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated January 24, 2002, between the Company and Computershare Trust Co., Inc., as Rights Agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Form 8-A/A dated March 21, 2003 (File No. 1-5491). SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. ROWAN COMPANIES, INC. By: /s/ E. E. Thiele ---------------------------------------------- E. E. Thiele, Senior Vice President - Administration and Finance and Principal Financial Officer Dated: March 21, 2003 INDEX TO EXHIBITS EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION Exhibit Number Exhibit Description ------ ------------------- 4.1 Restated First Amendment dated March 17, 2003 to the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated January 24, 2002, between the Company and Computershare Trust Co., Inc., as Rights Agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Form 8-A/A dated March 21, 2003 (File No. 1-5491).