<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FIRST
QUARTER 1997 10-Q OF BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1997
<CASH>                                           3,814
<SECURITIES>                                   160,570
<RECEIVABLES>                                   16,540
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     99,636
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               361,466
<PP&E>                                         216,396
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 751,200
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          151,337
<BONDS>                                        403,790
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     141,956
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   751,200
<SALES>                                        193,324
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               193,324
<CGS>                                          143,166
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  143,166
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,846
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,872
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,119
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,753
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,753
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0