<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 27.01
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM
10-K OF ALUMAX INC. FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                              35
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      456
<ALLOWANCES>                                        17
<INVENTORY>                                        520
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,086
<PP&E>                                           3,064
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,037
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   3,299
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              425
<BONDS>                                            672
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,640
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     3,299
<SALES>                                          3,159
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 3,159
<CGS>                                            2,522
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2,927
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     5
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  63
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    423
<INCOME-TAX>                                       173
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                250
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       250
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     5.19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     4.53