<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Reynolds
Metals Company Consolidated Balance Sheets for December 31, 1997, December 31,
1996 and December 31, 1995 and Statements of Income and Retained Earnings for
the Years Ended December 31, 1997, December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1995 and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000000
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS 12-MOS 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 DEC-31-1996 DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 DEC-31-1996 DEC-31-1995
<CASH> 70 38 39
<SECURITIES> 0 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 857 829 909
<ALLOWANCES> 16 18 20
<INVENTORY> 744 787 891
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 1994 1873 2014
<PP&E> 6533 6813 6600
<DEPRECIATION> 3579 3576 3377
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 7226 7516 7740
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1283 1333 1367
<BONDS> 1501 1793 1853
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0 0
<PREFERRED> 0 0 505
<COMMON> 1521 1451 941
<OTHER-SE> 1218 1183 1171
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 7226 7516 7740
<SALES> 6881 6972 7213
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 6900 7016 7252
<CGS> 5658 5856 5772
<TOTAL-COSTS> 6026 6221 6083
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 75 37 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 153 160 172
<INCOME-PRETAX> 240 153 548
<INCOME-TAX> 104 49 159
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 136 104 389
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 (15) 0
<NET-INCOME> 136 89 389
<EPS-PRIMARY> 1.86 .82 5.60
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.84 .82 5.25