<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CENTURY
ALUMINUM COMPANY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000949157
<NAME> CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                             112
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   89,283
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    176,149
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               287,198
<PP&E>                                         176,135
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 473,731
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          120,927
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           200
<OTHER-SE>                                     161,953
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   473,731
<SALES>                                        688,879
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               688,879
<CGS>                                          643,156
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  643,156
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,058
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 25,142
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,902
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,240
<DISCONTINUED>                                     264
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,504
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.79
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.79