<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM 1O-Q OF ALCAN ALUMINIUM
LIMITED FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 31 MARCH 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                             385
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,416
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,367
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 3,168
<PP&E>                                          11,817
<DEPRECIATION>                                   6,348
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   9,426
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            1,309
<BONDS>                                          1,224
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        203
<COMMON>                                         1,254
<OTHER-SE>                                       3,979
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     9,426
<SALES>                                          1,953
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,971
<CGS>                                            1,497
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,497
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   110
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  23
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    210
<INCOME-TAX>                                        78
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                117
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       117
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .50