<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