
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM VALHI, INC.'S
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996, AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                         142,468
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  249,645
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,199
<INVENTORY>                                    467,842
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               872,378
<PP&E>                                       1,195,631
<DEPRECIATION>                                 345,163
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,495,730
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          598,036
<BONDS>                                      1,105,284
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,247
<OTHER-SE>                                     265,390
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,495,730
<SALES>                                        462,795
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               462,795
<CGS>                                          349,714
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  349,714
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                24,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   160
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,316
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (6,536)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (3,169)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (5,688)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (5,688)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.05)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        

</TABLE>
