<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. unaudited financial statements at September
30, 2000 and for the nine months then ended, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000831259
<NAME> FREEPORT-MCMORAN COPPER & GOLD INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 5,978
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 137,663
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 395,493
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 570,680
<PP&E> 5,055,475
<DEPRECIATION> 1,794,174
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,981,173
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 650,235
<BONDS> 2,066,857
475,005
349,990
<COMMON> 21,876
<OTHER-SE> (357,722)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,981,173
<SALES> 1,338,777
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,338,777
<CGS> 993,746
<TOTAL-COSTS> 993,746
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 6,724
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 153,287
<INCOME-PRETAX> 125,018
<INCOME-TAX> 93,477
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 9,709
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 9,709
<EPS-BASIC> (.12)
<EPS-DILUTED> (.12)
</TABLE>