<ARTICLE>                    5
          <MULTIPLIER>              1000
          <FISCAL-YEAR-END>  DEC-31-1996
          <PERIOD-END>        SEP-30-1996
          <PERIOD-TYPE>             9-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)

                                                  Nine Months Ended
                                              _________________________
                                                  September 30, 1996   


                                                       
          <CASH>                           $          (1,892)
          <SECURITIES>                                 25,294
          <RECEIVABLES>                               107,802
          <ALLOWANCES>                                  1,074
          <INVENTORY>                                  92,539
          <CURRENT-ASSETS>                            230,388
          <PP&E>                                      636,537
          <DEPRECIATION>                              336,412
          <TOTAL-ASSETS>                              565,127
          <CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       203,629
          <BONDS>                                     127,529
          <PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                             0
          <PREFERRED>                                       0
          <COMMON>                                     49,920
          <OTHER-SE>                                  126,417
          <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                565,127
          <SALES>                                   1,200,188
          <TOTAL-REVENUES>                          1,200,188
          <CGS>                                     1,118,435
          <TOTAL-COSTS>                             1,118,435
          <OTHER-EXPENSES>                             93,230
          <LOSS-PROVISION>                                323
          <INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 10,778
          <INCOME-PRETAX>                             (20,970)
          <INCOME-TAX>                                 (7,336)
          <INCOME-CONTINUING>                         (13,634)
          <DISCONTINUED>                                    0
          <EXTRAORDINARY>                                   0
          <CHANGES>                                         0
          <NET-INCOME>                                (13,634)
          <EPS-PRIMARY>                                 (1.40)
          <EPS-DILUTED>                                 (1.40)