<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Reynolds
Metals Company Consolidated Balance Sheet for December 31, 1996 and Consolidated
Statement of Income and Retained Earnings for the Year Ended December 31, 1996
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                              38
<SECURITIES>                                        00
<RECEIVABLES>                                      829
<ALLOWANCES>                                        18
<INVENTORY>                                        787
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  1873
<PP&E>                                            6813
<DEPRECIATION>                                    3576
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    7516
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             1333
<BONDS>                                           1793
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                          1451
<OTHER-SE>                                        1183
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                      7516
<SALES>                                           6972
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                  7016
<CGS>                                             5856
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     6221
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    37
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 160
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    153
<INCOME-TAX>                                        49
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                104
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                         (15)
<NET-INCOME>                                        89
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0