<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000024545
<NAME> ADOLPH COORS COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<CURRENCY> USD
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-27-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-29-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-28-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          192905
<SECURITIES>                                     39032
<RECEIVABLES>                                   153676
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      89823
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                541267
<PP&E>                                          711950
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1406444
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           364358
<BONDS>                                         120000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                          9601
<OTHER-SE>                                      745566
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   1406444
<SALES>                                         956089
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                956089
<CGS>                                           571274
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   876440
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                (1210)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  80859
<INCOME-TAX>                                     31535
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              49324
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     49324
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.32