<ARTICLE>           5
<MULTIPLIER>        1000
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>   DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>        JUN-30-1998
<PERIOD-TYPE>       6-MOS







                                                       EXHIBIT 27 (b)


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



                                                    Six Months Ended
                                                     June 30, 1998
                                                    ----------------
                                                 
<CASH>                                                  $ 6,981
<SECURITIES>                                             23,883
<RECEIVABLES>                                            78,927
<ALLOWANCES>                                               (607)
<INVENTORY>                                             130,464
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                        251,625
<PP&E>                                                  645,969
<DEPRECIATION>                                          351,224
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                          590,914
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                   194,040
<BONDS>                                                 130,973
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                         0
<PREFERRED>                                                   0
<COMMON>                                                 50,355
<OTHER-SE>                                              141,687
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                            590,914
<SALES>                                                 666,793
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                        666,793
<CGS>                                                   616,741
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                           616,741
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         69,018
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                            150
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                        7,171
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                         (24,367)
<INCOME-TAX>                                             (8,473)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                     (15,894)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                               0
<CHANGES>                                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                            (15,894)
<EPS-BASIC>                                             (1.62)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                             (1.62)