<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. unaudited financial statements at
June 30, 1998 and for the six months then ended, and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                           5,223
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  147,901
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    289,032
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               469,197
<PP&E>                                       4,774,310
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,208,576
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,218,157
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          418,636
<BONDS>                                      2,426,488
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          500,007
<PREFERRED>                                    349,990
<COMMON>                                        21,852
<OTHER-SE>                                   (124,615)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,218,157
<SALES>                                        829,990
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               829,990
<CGS>                                          519,026
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  519,026
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 7,566
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             101,842
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                160,812
<INCOME-TAX>                                    75,882
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             70,365
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    70,365
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .29