<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ALUMAX INC. AT JUNE 30, 1996 AND
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30 1996 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-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                              24
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      538
<ALLOWANCES>                                        25
<INVENTORY>                                        614
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,396
<PP&E>                                           3,115
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,066
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   3,617
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              827
<BONDS>                                            693
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          2
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,569
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     3,617
<SALES>                                          1,654
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,654
<CGS>                                            1,312
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,515
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  34
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    292
<INCOME-TAX>                                       113
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                292
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       179
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.81
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.23