<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM
10-Q OF ALUMAX INC FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                              12
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      465
<ALLOWANCES>                                        17
<INVENTORY>                                        536
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,097
<PP&E>                                           3,076
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,049
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   3,307
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              437
<BONDS>                                            650
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,669
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     3,307
<SALES>                                            702
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   702
<CGS>                                              546
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      644
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     1
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  13
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     45
<INCOME-TAX>                                        18
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 27
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        27
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.48
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.48