<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>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                              42
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  111,146
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    170,085
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               303,522
<PP&E>                                         198,341
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 507,148
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          122,998
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           200
<OTHER-SE>                                     161,953
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   507,148
<SALES>                                        720,988
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               720,988
<CGS>                                          698,724
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  698,724
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,066
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,669
<INCOME-TAX>                                       601
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,068
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,068
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.05