<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> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                MAR-1-1998
<CASH>                                           1,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  102,953
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    170,481
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               299,416
<PP&E>                                         200,652
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 507,261
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          120,848
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           200
<OTHER-SE>                                     161,953
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   507,261
<SALES>                                        176,390
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               176,390
<CGS>                                          162,879
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  162,879
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 688
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,106
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,278
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,828
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,828
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.29