<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM
10-Q OF ALUMAX INC FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 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-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                              60
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      475
<ALLOWANCES>                                        14
<INVENTORY>                                        555
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,162
<PP&E>                                           3,136
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,116
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   3,447
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              392
<BONDS>                                            627
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,630
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     3,447
<SALES>                                          2,150
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 2,150
<CGS>                                            1,650
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,954
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    (4)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     1
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  41
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    159
<INCOME-TAX>                                       172
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                (14)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       (14)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.25)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.25)