<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM
10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 OF BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF
AMERICA AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>        927314
<NAME>       BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                           
<PERIOD-TYPE>                 YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                  DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                             24,987
<SECURITIES>                      157,953
<RECEIVABLES>                      24,249
<ALLOWANCES>                        4,035
<INVENTORY>                        93,364
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                  382,163
<PP&E>                            314,400
<DEPRECIATION>                     63,799
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                    847,493
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>             161,448
<BONDS>                           588,413
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                   0
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<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>      847,493
<SALES>                         1,087,957
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                1,087,957
<CGS>                             776,908
<TOTAL-COSTS>                     776,908
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                        0
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<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                 49,674
<INCOME-PRETAX>                    12,180
<INCOME-TAX>                        4,628
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                 7,552
<DISCONTINUED>                          0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                   (18,113)
<CHANGES>                               0 
<NET-INCOME>                      (10,561)
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