<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
EXHIBIT 27.1
BALL CORPORATION
FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JULY 2, 2000, AND THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF
JULY 2, 1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUL-02-2000
<CASH> 34,800
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 353,200
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 588,200
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,058,800
<PP&E> 1,904,700
<DEPRECIATION> (864,900)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,759,600
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 719,900
<BONDS> 1,107,600
<COMMON> 434,500
0
39,200
<OTHER-SE> 189,700
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,759,600
<SALES> 1,778,800
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,778,800
<CGS> 1,549,200
<TOTAL-COSTS> 1,549,200
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 47,200
<INCOME-PRETAX> 13,000
<INCOME-TAX> 7,400
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,600
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 4,600
<EPS-BASIC> 0.11
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.11
</TABLE>