<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000831259 <NAME> FREEPORT-MCMORAN COPPER & GOLD INC. <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1996 <CASH> 19,761 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 145,053 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 393,818 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 685,976 <PP&E> 3,616,874 <DEPRECIATION> 754,253 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,639,244 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 482,208 <BONDS> 1,328,338 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 500,007 <PREFERRED> 573,887 <COMMON> 20,804 <OTHER-SE> 127,894 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,639,244 <SALES> 388,392 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 388,392 <CGS> 240,003 <TOTAL-COSTS> 240,003 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 23,530 <INCOME-PRETAX> 82,920 <INCOME-TAX> 38,621 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 36,136 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 36,136 <EPS-PRIMARY> .11 <EPS-DILUTED> .11