<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CENTURY
ALUMINUM COMPANY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                             214
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   97,377
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    196,552
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               314,283
<PP&E>                                         173,438
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 495,884
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          120,400
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           200
<OTHER-SE>                                     161,954
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   495,884
<SALES>                                        504,034
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               504,034
<CGS>                                          469,441
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  469,441
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,019
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 22,285
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,469
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,816
<DISCONTINUED>                                     264
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    14,080
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.67
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.67