<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. unaudited financial statements at September
30, 1999 and for the nine 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                           3,361
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  190,060
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    359,651
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               588,153
<PP&E>                                       4,938,937
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,551,788
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,132,187
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          586,337
<BONDS>                                      2,095,185
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          487,507
<PREFERRED>                                    349,990
<COMMON>                                        21,854
<OTHER-SE>                                   (212,401)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,132,187
<SALES>                                      1,359,829
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,359,829
<CGS>                                          875,724
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  875,724
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 7,590
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             146,127
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                259,800
<INCOME-TAX>                                   135,623
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             89,625
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    89,625
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .39
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .39