<ARTICLE>                    5
<MULTIPLIER>              1000
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>  DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>        JUN-30-1997
<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, 1997

                               
<CASH>                               $          139
<SECURITIES>                                 36,987
<RECEIVABLES>                                94,174
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (751        )
<INVENTORY>                                  94,714
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     232,890
<PP&E>                                      621,754
<DEPRECIATION>                              330,093
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              564,545
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       165,956
<BONDS>                                     126,518
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                             0
<PREFERRED>                                       0
<COMMON>                                     49,976
<OTHER-SE>                                  146,041
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                564,545
<SALES>                                     785,963
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     785,963
<CGS>                                       705,673
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               705,673
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                      60,737
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                        (377            )
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                     7,017
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              14,314
<INCOME-TAX>                                  5,683
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           8,631
<DISCONTINUED>                                    0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   0
<CHANGES>                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                  8,631
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   .89
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   .89