<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000831259 <NAME> FREEPORT-MCMORAN COPPER & GOLD INC. <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1996 <CASH> 45,035 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 77,389 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 386,310 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 635,506 <PP&E> 3,687,116 <DEPRECIATION> 797,213 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,623,955 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 480,117 <BONDS> 1,360,650 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 500,007 <PREFERRED> 569,434 <COMMON> 20,907 <OTHER-SE> 116,069 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,623,955 <SALES> 812,740 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 812,740 <CGS> 522,304 <TOTAL-COSTS> 522,304 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 53,075 <INCOME-PRETAX> 167,967 <INCOME-TAX> 75,354 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 78,807 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 78,807 <EPS-PRIMARY> .26 <EPS-DILUTED> .26