<ARTICLE>      5
                  <MULTIPLIER>   1000
            <FISCAL-YEAR-END>   DEC-31-1998
              <PERIOD-END>   MAR-31-1998
                 <PERIOD-TYPE>  3-MOS
                           
                           
                               
                       
                           
                                        EXHIBIT 27 (a)
                           
    Crown Central Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
                  Financial Data Schedule
          (In thousands, except per share amounts)
                                        
                                        Three Months End
                                        ed
                                        March 31, 1998
                                        ----------------
                                        --
                                    
    <CASH>                                $     (2                                   )
    <SECURITIES>                            30,342
    <RECEIVABLES>                           73,956
    <ALLOWANCES>                              (729                                   )
    <INVENTORY>                            138,937
    <CURRENT-ASSETS>                       253,892
    <PP&E>                                 644,727
    <DEPRECIATION>                         345,802
    <TOTAL-ASSETS>                         596,451
    <CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                  194,276
    <BONDS>                                129,188
    <PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                        0
    <PREFERRED>                                  0
    <COMMON>                                49,920
    <OTHER-SE>                             144,254
    <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>           596,451
    <SALES>                                325,960
    <TOTAL-REVENUES>                       325,960
    <CGS>                                  314,495
    <TOTAL-COSTS>                          314,495
    <OTHER-EXPENSES>                        33,324
    <LOSS-PROVISION>                            75
    <INTEREST-EXPENSE>                       3,530
    <INCOME-PRETAX>                        (22,192                                   )
    <INCOME-TAX>                            (8,449                                   )
    <INCOME-CONTINUING>                    (13,743                                   )
    <DISCONTINUED>                               0
    <EXTRAORDINARY>                              0
    <CHANGES>                                    0
    <NET-INCOME>                           (13,743                                   )
    <EPS-PRIMARY>                            (1.40                                   )
    <EPS-DILUTED>                            (1.40                                   )