<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000831259 <NAME> FREEPORT-MCMORAN COPPER & GOLD INC. <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 11,765 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 134,640 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 342,473 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 571,563 <PP&E> 4,437,933 <DEPRECIATION> 1,040,763 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 4,139,746 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 572,111 <BONDS> 1,998,334 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 500,007 <PREFERRED> 349,990 <COMMON> 21,842 <OTHER-SE> 91,104 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 4,139,746 <SALES> 1,580,252 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,580,252 <CGS> 935,340 <TOTAL-COSTS> 935,340 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 14,047 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 112,256 <INCOME-PRETAX> 438,311 <INCOME-TAX> 202,030 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 196,495 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 196,495 <EPS-PRIMARY> .84 <EPS-DILUTED> .84