
<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-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                                 MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                                                                31
<SECURITIES>                                                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                                      1,153
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                          20
<INVENTORY>                                                                          525
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                                   1,919
<PP&E>                                                                             4,134
<DEPRECIATION>                                                                     1,889
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                                     7,055
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                              1,518
<BONDS>                                                                            1,697
<COMMON>                                                                              76
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                                                            0
<OTHER-SE>                                                                         1,991
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                                       7,055
<SALES>                                                                            3,699
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                                   3,859
<CGS>                                                                              3,180
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                                      3,180
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                                    71
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                                      155
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                          58
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                                   81
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                        0
<CHANGES>                                                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                                                          81
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                       1.07
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                       1.05
        

</TABLE>
