
<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,
                     1998 AND IS  QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
                     SUCH ANNUAL REPORT.
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000,000
       
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                  SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                       SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                                      34
<SECURITIES>                                                 0
<RECEIVABLES>                                            1,129
<ALLOWANCES>                                                19
<INVENTORY>                                                440
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                         1,828
<PP&E>                                                   2,413
<DEPRECIATION>                                           1,252
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                           6,082
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                    1,361
<BONDS>                                                  1,507
<COMMON>                                                    76
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                        0
<PREFERRED>                                                  0
<OTHER-SE>                                               2,061
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                             6,082
<SALES>                                                  6,534
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                         6,933
<CGS>                                                    5,480
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                            5,480
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                             0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                             8
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                         130
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                            317
<INCOME-TAX>                                               114
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                        203
<DISCONTINUED>                                               0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                              0
<CHANGES>                                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                                               203
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                             2.68
<EPS-DILUTED>                                             2.63
        

</TABLE>
