<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CENTURY ALUMINUM
COMPANY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANACIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                JUN-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                       1
<CASH>                                            2,452
<SECURITIES>                                          0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    82,232
<ALLOWANCES>                                          0
<INVENTORY>                                     174,851
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                285,923
<PP&E>                                          206,718
<DEPRECIATION>                                        0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  499,846
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           107,090
<BONDS>                                               0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                 0
<PREFERRED>                                           0 
<COMMON>                                            200
<OTHER-SE>                                      161,953
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    499,846
<SALES>                                         333,152
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                333,152
<CGS>                                           307,814
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   307,814
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                      0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                1,142
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  21,778
<INCOME-TAX>                                      7,840
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              13,938
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0
<CHANGES>                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                     13,938
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      0.70
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      0.69