<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ANNUAL
REPORT ON FORM 10-K OF BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                                         <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                               YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                    DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                                       JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                         DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                                                    12,921
<SECURITIES>                                                             223,848
<RECEIVABLES>                                                             13,643
<ALLOWANCES>                                                               2,752
<INVENTORY>                                                               72,254
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                         410,539
<PP&E>                                                                   241,946
<DEPRECIATION>                                                            56,514
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                           807,286
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                    125,785
<BONDS>                                                                  555,446
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                          0
<PREFERRED>                                                                    0
<COMMON>                                                                       1
<OTHER-SE>                                                                82,998
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                             807,286
<SALES>                                                                  944,629
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                         944,629
<CGS>                                                                    686,992
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                            686,992
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                        42,784
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                           42,771
<INCOME-TAX>                                                              16,680
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                       26,091
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                                              26,091
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                  0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                  0



</TABLE>