
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND>             THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION
                     EXTRACTED  FROM ASHLAND INC.'S 1ST QUARTER 10-Q AND IS
                     QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 10-Q.
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000,000
       
<S>                                                                          <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                                3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                            SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                                 DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                                                                70
<SECURITIES>                                                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                                      1,702
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                          23
<INVENTORY>                                                                          770
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                                   2,770
<PP&E>                                                                             7,814
<DEPRECIATION>                                                                     3,652
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                                     7,721
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                              2,195
<BONDS>                                                                            1,577
<COMMON>                                                                              75
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                                                            0
<OTHER-SE>                                                                         1,981
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                                       7,721
<SALES>                                                                            3,550
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                                   3,605
<CGS>                                                                              3,134
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                                      3,134
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                                    31
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                                      101
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                          39
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                                   52
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                        0
<CHANGES>                                                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                                                          52
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                        .69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                        .68
        

</TABLE>
