<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ALUMAX INC. AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 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-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                              68
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      470
<ALLOWANCES>                                        18
<INVENTORY>                                        524
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,165
<PP&E>                                           3,019
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,016
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   3,343
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              499
<BONDS>                                            674
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          2
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,627
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     3,343
<SALES>                                          2,463
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 2,463
<CGS>                                            1,970
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2,279
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     5
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  50
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    390
<INCOME-TAX>                                       159
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                231
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       231
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     4.91
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     4.18