<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, 1998 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-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1998 <CASH> 48 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 480 <ALLOWANCES> 12 <INVENTORY> 496 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,114 <PP&E> 3,329 <DEPRECIATION> 1,315 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,392 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 427 <BONDS> 832 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1 <OTHER-SE> 1,668 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,392 <SALES> 775 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 775 <CGS> 582 <TOTAL-COSTS> 685 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 17 <INCOME-PRETAX> 73 <INCOME-TAX> 29 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 44 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 44 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.82 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.81