<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. unaudited financial statements at September
30, 1998 and for the nine months then ended, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                           9,891
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  138,211
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    287,959
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               471,246
<PP&E>                                       4,795,452
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,270,866
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,174,245
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          525,131
<BONDS>                                      2,359,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          500,007
<PREFERRED>                                    349,990
<COMMON>                                        21,852
<OTHER-SE>                                   (288,742)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,174,245
<SALES>                                      1,272,116
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,272,116
<CGS>                                          798,786
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  798,786
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                10,344
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             153,113
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                240,726
<INCOME-TAX>                                   114,461
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            102,998
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   102,998
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .43