<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM 10-Q OF ALCAN ALUMINIUM LIMITED FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 30 JUNE 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1998 <CASH> 440 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 1,415 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 1,335 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 3,190 <PP&E> 11,948 <DEPRECIATION> 6,439 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 9,301 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,325 <BONDS> 1,222 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 160 <COMMON> 1,256 <OTHER-SE> 3,989 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 9,301 <SALES> 3,939 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 3,976 <CGS> 3,046 <TOTAL-COSTS> 3,046 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 223 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 44 <INCOME-PRETAX> 394 <INCOME-TAX> 154 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 203 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 203 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.87 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.87