<ARTICLE>          5




                                                           EXHIBIT 27 (b)

                Crown Central Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
                           Financial Data Schedule
                   (In thousands, except per share amounts)


                                                       Year ended
                                                    December 31, 1998
                                                    -----------------
                                                 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                       12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                   DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                        DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                                $    6,930
<SECURITIES>                                               7,540
<RECEIVABLES>                                             60,966
<ALLOWANCES>                                                 739
<INVENTORY>                                               80,104
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                         168,828
<PP&E>                                                   684,264
<DEPRECIATION>                                           363,716
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                           518,010
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                    150,253
<BONDS>                                                  129,899
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                          0
<PREFERRED>                                                    0
<COMMON>                                                  50,268
<OTHER-SE>                                               128,505
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                             518,010
<SALES>                                                1,264,317
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                       1,264,317
<CGS>                                                  1,155,194
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                          1,155,194
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         142,857
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                             300
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                        14,740
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                          (45,745)
<INCOME-TAX>                                             (16,365)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                      (29,380)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                             (29,380)
<EPS-BASIC>                                              (2.99)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                              (2.99)