<ARTICLE>                    5
   <MULTIPLIER>              1000
   <FISCAL-YEAR-END>  DEC-31-1996
   <PERIOD-END>        JUN-30-1996
   <PERIOD-TYPE>             6-MOS

          
   

     Crown Central Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
     Dollars in thousands, except per share data


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

                                                  Six Months Ended
                                                ____________________
                                                    June 30, 1996   


                                                       
   <CASH>                                    $         10,315
   <SECURITIES>                                        22,201
   <RECEIVABLES>                                      118,244
   <ALLOWANCES>                                         1,058
   <INVENTORY>                                         78,621
   <CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   236,876
   <PP&E>                                             636,389
   <DEPRECIATION>                                     333,286
   <TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     574,833
   <CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              210,722
   <BONDS>                                            127,859
   <PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
   <PREFERRED>                                              0
   <COMMON>                                            49,945
   <OTHER-SE>                                         129,937
   <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       574,833
   <SALES>                                            802,299
   <TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   802,299
   <CGS>                                              750,367
   <TOTAL-COSTS>                                      750,367
   <OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    62,480
   <LOSS-PROVISION>                                       149
   <INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   7,194
   <INCOME-PRETAX>                                    (16,627)
   <INCOME-TAX>                                        (6,629)
   <INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 (9,998)
   <DISCONTINUED>                                           0
   <EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
   <CHANGES>                                                0
   <NET-INCOME>                                        (9,998)
   <EPS-PRIMARY>                                        (1.03)



   <EPS-DILUTED>                                        (1.03)