<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 NINE MONTHS ENDED
OCTOBER 1, 2000, AND THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF
OCTOBER 1, 2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> OCT-01-2000
<CASH> 27,400
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 393,900
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 528,200
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,031,600
<PP&E> 1,920,400
<DEPRECIATION> (896,500)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,712,800
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 683,600
<BONDS> 1,064,500
<COMMON> 439,100
0
37,700
<OTHER-SE> 208,900
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,712,800
<SALES> 2,740,100
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,740,100
<CGS> 2,376,400
<TOTAL-COSTS> 2,376,400
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 71,600
<INCOME-PRETAX> 82,600
<INCOME-TAX> 31,700
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 49,100
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 49,100
<EPS-BASIC> 1.61
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.52
</TABLE>