<ARTICLE>          5




                                                           EXHIBIT 27 (a)

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


                                                     Year ended
                                                    December 31, 1999
                                                    -----------------
                                                 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                       12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                   DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                        DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                                $    9,652
<SECURITIES>                                               2,795
<RECEIVABLES>                                            104,884
<ALLOWANCES>                                                (552)
<INVENTORY>                                               69,195
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                         187,402
<PP&E>                                                   690,423
<DEPRECIATION>                                           376,383
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                           523,108
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                    202,525
<BONDS>                                                  129,180
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                          0
<PREFERRED>                                                    0
<COMMON>                                                  50,356
<OTHER-SE>                                                98,945
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                             523,108
<SALES>                                                1,270,181
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                       1,270,181
<CGS>                                                  1,164,299
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                          1,164,199
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         138,198
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                             105
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                        15,015
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                          (44,701)
<INCOME-TAX>                                             (14,675)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                      (30,026)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                             (30,026)
<EPS-BASIC>                                              (3.04)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                              (3.04)