<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM 10-Q OF ALCAN ALUMINIUM LIMITED FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998 <CASH> 375 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 1,440 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 1,412 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 3,227 <PP&E> 12,600 <DEPRECIATION> 6,700 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 9,736 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,380 <BONDS> 1,342 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 160 <COMMON> 1,259 <OTHER-SE> 4,122 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 9,736 <SALES> 5,889 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 5,936 <CGS> 4,560 <TOTAL-COSTS> 4,560 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 339 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 65 <INCOME-PRETAX> 555 <INCOME-TAX> 198 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 310 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 310 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.33 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.33