<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary information extracted from the financial
statements included in the Apex Silver Mines Limited Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended June 30, 1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                      37,786,981
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            39,500,518
<PP&E>                                      26,997,106
<DEPRECIATION>                                 259,238
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              69,282,042
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,947,169
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       199,066
<OTHER-SE>                                  64,953,407
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                69,282,042
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,393,996
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             5,470,120
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      0
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (4,076,124)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.16)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.16)