<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. unaudited financial statements at March 31,
1999 and for the three months then ended, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000831259
<NAME> FREEPORT-MCMORAN COPPER & GOLD INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000
<CASH> 5,240
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 119,156
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 370,257
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 539,180
<PP&E> 4,993,817
<DEPRECIATION> 1,668,378
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 4,024,468
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 491,972
<BONDS> 2,037,869
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 487,507
<PREFERRED> 349,990
<COMMON> 21,876
<OTHER-SE> (223,120)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 4,024,468
<SALES> 467,592
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 467,592
<CGS> 323,431
<TOTAL-COSTS> 323,431
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,968
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 49,935
<INCOME-PRETAX> 68,976
<INCOME-TAX> 40,473
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 18,731
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 18,731
<EPS-BASIC> .06
<EPS-DILUTED> .06