<ARTICLE>           5
<MULTIPLIER>        1000
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>   DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>        JUN-30-1999
<PERIOD-TYPE>       6-MOS




                                                         EXHIBIT 27 (a)


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



                                                    Six Months Ended
                                                     June 30, 1999
                                                    ----------------
                                                 
<CASH>                                                  $ 6,689
<SECURITIES>                                              5,820
<RECEIVABLES>                                            97,022
<ALLOWANCES>                                               (726)
<INVENTORY>                                              90,213
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                        204,429
<PP&E>                                                  674,977
<DEPRECIATION>                                          373,381
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                          552,208
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                   219,339
<BONDS>                                                 129,521
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                         0
<PREFERRED>                                                   0
<COMMON>                                                 50,073
<OTHER-SE>                                              106,068
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                            552,208
<SALES>                                                 506,578
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                        506,578
<CGS>                                                   465,016
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                           465,016
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         72,122
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                            (13)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                        7,554
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                         (35,621)
<INCOME-TAX>                                            (12,762)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                     (22,859)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                               0
<CHANGES>                                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                            (22,859)
<EPS-BASIC>                                             (2.32)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                             (2.32)