<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM 10-K OF ALUMAX INC FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 <CASH> 27 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 500 <ALLOWANCES> 13 <INVENTORY> 534 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,166 <PP&E> 3,347 <DEPRECIATION> 1,320 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,453 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 412 <BONDS> 956 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1 <OTHER-SE> 1,621 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,453 <SALES> 2,931 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,931 <CGS> 2,234 <TOTAL-COSTS> 2,638 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (2) <LOSS-PROVISION> 1 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 58 <INCOME-PRETAX> 237 <INCOME-TAX> 204 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 34 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 34 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.62 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.60