<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE GOLDEN
NORTHWEST ALUMINUM, INC. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<CIK> 0001079177
<NAME> GOLDEN NORTHWEST

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                           1,939
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   46,436
<ALLOWANCES>                                       100
<INVENTORY>                                     78,778
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               135,830
<PP&E>                                         139,687
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 363,700
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           90,161
<BONDS>                                        170,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     29,663
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      65,504
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   363,700
<SALES>                                        330,279
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               330,279
<CGS>                                          302,911
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  302,911
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                14,716
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,390
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (5,079)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,118
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (7,197)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (7,197)
<EPS-BASIC>                                    (9,934)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (9,934)