
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>     5
<LEGEND>      THIS  SCHEDULE   CONTAINS  SUMMARY   FINANCIAL   INFORMATION
              EXTRACTED FROM ASHLAND INC.'S ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS  FOR 
              THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,  1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
              ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH ANNUAL REPORT.
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000,000
<PERIOD-TYPE>                       YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                   SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                        SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                       52
<SECURITIES>                                  0
<RECEIVABLES>                             1,600
<ALLOWANCES>                                 25
<INVENTORY>                                 726
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                          2,575
<PP&E>                                    7,078
<DEPRECIATION>                            3,508
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                            6,992
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                     2,094
<BONDS>                                   1,828
<COMMON>                                     64
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                         0
<PREFERRED>                                 293
<OTHER-SE>                                1,298
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>              6,992
<SALES>                                  12,167
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         12,239
<CGS>                                    10,745
<TOTAL-COSTS>                            10,745
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                          1,296
<LOSS-PROVISION>                              9
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          171
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              27
<INCOME-TAX>                                (13)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          24
<DISCONTINUED>                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               0
<CHANGES>                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                 24
<EPS-PRIMARY>                               .08
<EPS-DILUTED>                               .08

</TABLE>
