<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AT MARCH 31, 1996 (UNAUDITED) AND THE
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE QUARTER PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1996
(UNAUDITED) AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>  0000895726
<NAME> U.S. CAN CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                             191
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   70,518
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,878
<INVENTORY>                                     88,205
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               169,924
<PP&E>                                         357,873
<DEPRECIATION>                                 130,685
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 474,702
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           94,964
<BONDS>                                        244,271
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           129
<OTHER-SE>                                      86,555
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   474,702
<SALES>                                        163,611
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               163,611
<CGS>                                          142,129
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  142,129
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   873
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    45
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,186
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,528
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,198
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,330
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,330
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.33