<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 27.1
                                BALL CORPORATION
                             FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE



THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE RESTATED
CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENT  OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED  DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND THE
RESTATED  CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                           5,100
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  190,200
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    318,500
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               574,300
<PP&E>                                       1,133,400
<DEPRECIATION>                                 505,300
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,614,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          497,000
<BONDS>                                        320,400
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     15,200
<COMMON>                                       231,100
<OTHER-SE>                                     336,400
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,614,000
<SALES>                                      2,045,800
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,045,800
<CGS>                                        1,836,600
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,836,600
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              25,700
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 76,900
<INCOME-TAX>                                    26,400
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             51,900
<DISCONTINUED>                                 (70,500)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (18,600)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.72)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.64)