<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary information extracted from the Form 10-Q of APL
Limited for the quarter ended April 4, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-26-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                APR-4-1997
<CASH>                                         118,847
<SECURITIES>                                   141,796
<RECEIVABLES>                                  212,412<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     28,731
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               560,213
<PP&E>                                       1,973,500
<DEPRECIATION>                                 848,879
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,831,900
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          369,293
<BONDS>                                        690,962
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        24,599
<OTHER-SE>                                     467,027
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,831,900
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               678,850
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  687,696<F2>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,600
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (17,835)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (8,028)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (9,807)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.40)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.40)
<FN>
<F1>The allowance for Doubtful Accounts, inlcuded in Receivables, amounted to
$18,556 at April 4, 1997.
<F2>The Provision for Doubtful Accounts, included in Total Costs, amounted to $169
for the 14 week period ended April 4, 1997.
</FN>