<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This Schedule contains summary information extracted from the 10-Q of American
President Companies, Ltd. for the quarters ended June 30, 1995 and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-29-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1995
<CASH>                                         179,467
<SECURITIES>                                    31,510
<RECEIVABLES>                                  302,819<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     41,576
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               607,185
<PP&E>                                       1,967,948
<DEPRECIATION>                                 942,941
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,744,359
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          409,784
<BONDS>                                        436,278
<COMMON>                                        27,462
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           75,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     522,313
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,744,359
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,414,951
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,346,966<F2>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,041
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 24,710
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,390
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,320
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.42
<FN>
<F1>The Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, included in Receivables, amounted to
$20,988 at June 30, 1995.
<F2>The Provision for Doubtful Accounts, included in Total-Costs, amounted to
$6,249 for the 26 weeks ended June 30, 1995.
</FN>