
<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, 1997, 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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                         350,933
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  180,448
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,065
<INVENTORY>                                    183,488
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               748,457
<PP&E>                                         684,701
<DEPRECIATION>                                 125,582
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,270,464
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          295,158
<BONDS>                                      1,096,759
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,253
<OTHER-SE>                                     383,718
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,270,464
<SALES>                                        820,719
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               820,719
<CGS>                                          618,098
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  618,098
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   178
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              91,434
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (13,089)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,066
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (12,058)
<DISCONTINUED>                                  34,463
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (4,291)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    18,114
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        

</TABLE>
