<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM HOWMET INTERNATIONAL INC. UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998 <CASH> 21,306 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 136,802 <ALLOWANCES> 5,405 <INVENTORY> 158,980 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,050,397 <PP&E> 425,382 <DEPRECIATION> 109,448 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,758,228 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,010,953 <BONDS> 123,098 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 64,153 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,000 <OTHER-SE> 353,067 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,758,228 <SALES> 995,715 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 995,715 <CGS> 695,220 <TOTAL-COSTS> 695,220 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 57,831 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 10,370 <INCOME-PRETAX> 145,173 <INCOME-TAX> 55,166 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 90,007 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 90,007 <EPS-PRIMARY> .86 <EPS-DILUTED> .86