<ARTICLE>          5
<MULTIPLIER>       1000
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>  DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>       SEP-30-1999
<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, 1999
                                        ------------------

                                     
<CASH>                                      $  6,859
<SECURITIES>                                   3,165
<RECEIVABLES>                                102,716
<ALLOWANCES>                                    (600)
<INVENTORY>                                   74,752
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             192,377
<PP&E>                                       675,839
<DEPRECIATION>                               376,411
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               536,835
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        216,061
<BONDS>                                      129,324
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              0
<PREFERRED>                                        0
<COMMON>                                      50,355
<OTHER-SE>                                    99,769
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 536,835
<SALES>                                      866,478
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             866,478
<CGS>                                        794,903
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                794,903
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             107,251
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 (13)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            11,047
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (44,542)
<INCOME-TAX>                                 (15,665)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (28,877)
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0
<CHANGES>                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (28,877)
<EPS-BASIC>                                  (2.93)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (2.93)