<ARTICLE>           5
<MULTIPLIER>        1000
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>   DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>        SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-TYPE>       9-MOS

       



                                              EXHIBIT 27 (a)

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


                                         NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                         SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
                                         ------------------
                                             
<CASH>                                         $  5,872
<SECURITIES>                                     58,496
<RECEIVABLES>                                    71,520
<ALLOWANCES>                                       (675)
<INVENTORY>                                     125,954
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                264,660
<PP&E>                                          658,025
<DEPRECIATION>                                  357,031
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  610,063
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           213,158
<BONDS>                                         130,046
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                 0
<PREFERRED>                                           0
<COMMON>                                         50,355
<OTHER-SE>                                      144,769
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    610,063
<SALES>                                         979,254
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                979,254
<CGS>                                           884,952
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   884,952
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                104,206
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    225
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               10,977
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (18,809)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (5,998)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (12,811)
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0
<CHANGES>                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (12,811)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (1.30)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (1.30)