<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A) THE
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH (B) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000949157
<NAME> CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           10291
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   106322
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     160680
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                297610
<PP&E>                                          171008
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  477038
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           142519
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           200
<OTHER-SE>                                      161954
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    477038
<SALES>                                         181404
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                181404
<CGS>                                           163983
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   163983
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                (87)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  14379
<INCOME-TAX>                                      5464
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               8915
<DISCONTINUED>                                     264
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      9179
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.40
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.40