
<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, 1997, AND
IS QUALIFED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         262,482
<SECURITIES>                                   145,510
<RECEIVABLES>                                  193,668
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,012
<INVENTORY>                                    209,164
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               831,628
<PP&E>                                         794,009
<DEPRECIATION>                                 153,041
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,292,835
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          474,899
<BONDS>                                      1,070,178
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,251
<OTHER-SE>                                     307,068
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,292,835
<SALES>                                        265,305
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               265,305
<CGS>                                          204,767
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  204,767
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                30,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    62
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,659
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (33,830)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (10,698)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (23,140)
<DISCONTINUED>                                  15,671
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (7,469)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.07)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        

</TABLE>
