<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. financial statements at December 31, 1998
and for the 12 months then ended, and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000831259
<NAME> FREEPORT-MCMORAN COPPER & GOLD INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                           5,877
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  180,978
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    301,404
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               545,894
<PP&E>                                       4,813,826
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,339,375
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,192,634
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          518,487
<BONDS>                                      2,328,989
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          500,007
<PREFERRED>                                    349,990
<COMMON>                                        21,852
<OTHER-SE>                                   (268,426)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,192,634
<SALES>                                      1,757,132
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,757,132
<CGS>                                        1,082,038
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,082,038
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                13,033
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             205,588
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                361,426
<INCOME-TAX>                                   170,566
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            153,848
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   153,848
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .67
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .67