<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