
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>    5
<LEGEND>     THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
             FROM ASHLAND INC.'S 2ND QUARTER 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
             ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 10-Q.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
<S>                                                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                           6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                       SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                            MAR-31-1995
<CASH>                                                           60
<SECURITIES>                                                      0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                 1,432
<ALLOWANCES>                                                     23
<INVENTORY>                                                     812
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                              2,508
<PP&E>                                                        7,042
<DEPRECIATION>                                                3,449
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                6,969
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                         2,028
<BONDS>                                                       1,809
<COMMON>                                                         62
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                             0
<PREFERRED>                                                     293
<OTHER-SE>                                                    1,267
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                  6,969
<SALES>                                                       5,659
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                              5,696
<CGS>                                                         5,004
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                 5,004
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                597
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                  0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                               78
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                  17
<INCOME-TAX>                                                      7
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                               6
<DISCONTINUED>                                                    0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                   0
<CHANGES>                                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                                      6
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                  (.05)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                  (.05)
        

</TABLE>
