<ARTICLE> 5
   <LEGEND>

                                                                    Exhibit 27.1
                                BALL CORPORATION
                             FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE

   THIS SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM THE
   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE
   CONSOLIDATED  BALANCE  SHEET AS OF DECEMBER  31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
   ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
   </LEGEND>
   <MULTIPLIER> 1,000
          
                                           
   <PERIOD-TYPE>                              YEAR
   <FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
   <PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
   <CASH>                                          25,500
   <SECURITIES>                                         0
   <RECEIVABLES>                                  301,400
   <ALLOWANCES>                                         0
   <INVENTORY>                                    413,300
   <CURRENT-ASSETS>                               798,100
   <PP&E>                                       1,556,100
   <DEPRECIATION>                                 636,600
   <TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,090,100
   <CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          837,800
   <BONDS>                                        366,100
   <PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
   <PREFERRED>                                     22,900
   <COMMON>                                       231,800
   <OTHER-SE>                                     379,500
   <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,090,100
   <SALES>                                      2,388,500
   <TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,388,500
   <CGS>                                        2,121,200
   <TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,121,200
   <OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
   <LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
   <INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              53,500
   <INCOME-PRETAX>                                 85,900
   <INCOME-TAX>                                    32,000
   <INCOME-CONTINUING>                             58,300
   <DISCONTINUED>                                       0
   <EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
   <CHANGES>                                            0
   <NET-INCOME>                                    58,300
   <EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.84
   <EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.74