
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000024545
<NAME> ADOLPH COORS COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<CURRENCY> USD
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-27-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-29-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-27-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          197195
<SECURITIES>                                     49543
<RECEIVABLES>                                   138165
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      97473
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                545478
<PP&E>                                          707483
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1417447
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           382538
<BONDS>                                         105000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                          9645
<OTHER-SE>                                      755886
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   1417447
<SALES>                                        1455449
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               1455449
<CGS>                                           880756
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  1362186
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                (2483)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  95746
<INCOME-TAX>                                     37341
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              58405
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     58405
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.61
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.56
        

</TABLE>
