
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM VALHI, INC.'S
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                         160,613
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  243,427
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,509
<INVENTORY>                                    318,257
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               739,861
<PP&E>                                       1,206,277
<DEPRECIATION>                                 348,725
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,368,890
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          579,799
<BONDS>                                      1,029,415
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,248
<OTHER-SE>                                     259,822
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,368,890
<SALES>                                      1,255,386
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,255,386
<CGS>                                          955,686
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  955,686
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 (142)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              81,541
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 24,032
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,287
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,826
<DISCONTINUED>                                (10,674)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,848)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.01)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.01)
        

</TABLE>
