<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                              43
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   86,693
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    170,890
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               281,901
<PP&E>                                         212,861
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 504,965
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          107,443
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           200
<OTHER-SE>                                     161,953
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   504,965
<SALES>                                        435,985
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               435,985
<CGS>                                          464,018
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  464,018
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,579
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 24,812
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,932
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,880
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,880
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.79
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.78