<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>       THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
               EXTRACTED FROM THE ARMCO INC. CONDENSED STATEMENT OF 
               CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL POSITION AND CONDENSED STATEMENT 
               OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS AND RETAINED DEFICIT AND IS 
               QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL 
               STATEMENTS. 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                           
<PERIOD-TYPE>                 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                  JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                            175,200
<SECURITIES>                            0
<RECEIVABLES>                     191,600
<ALLOWANCES>                            0
<INVENTORY>                       265,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                  637,700
<PP&E>                          1,284,100
<DEPRECIATION>                    627,400
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                  1,907,700
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>             371,300
<BONDS>                           337,000
<COMMON>                            1,100
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                   0
<PREFERRED>                       185,900
<OTHER-SE>                       (377,300)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>    1,907,700
<SALES>                           931,600
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                  931,600
<CGS>                             833,600
<TOTAL-COSTS>                     833,600
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                        0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                        0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                 17,200
<INCOME-PRETAX>                    30,900
<INCOME-TAX>                        1,300
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                29,600
<DISCONTINUED>                      1,300
<EXTRAORDINARY>                         0
<CHANGES>                               0
<NET-INCOME>                       30,900
<EPS-PRIMARY>                        0.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                        0.24