
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND>             THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION
                     EXTRACTED  FROM  ASHLAND  INC.'S 2ND QUARTER 1998 10-Q
                     WHICH WAS RESTATED IN THE 3RD QUARTER  1998 10-Q,  AND
                     IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY BY  REFERENCE  TO SUCH
                     10-Q'S AND NOTE B OF NOTES TO  CONDENSED  CONSOLIDATED
                     FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS  IN THE 3RD  QUARTER  10-Q  THAT
                     EXPLAINS THE RESTATEMENT.
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000,000
       
<S>                                                                   <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                         6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                     SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                          MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                                                                18
<SECURITIES>                                                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                                      1,004
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                          20
<INVENTORY>                                                                          465
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                                   1,664
<PP&E>                                                                             2,250
<DEPRECIATION>                                                                     1,186
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                                     5,812
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                              1,281
<BONDS>                                                                            1,536
<COMMON>                                                                              76
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                                                            0
<OTHER-SE>                                                                         1,991
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                                       5,812
<SALES>                                                                            3,071
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                                   3,223
<CGS>                                                                              2,594
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                                      2,594
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                                    62
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                                      132
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                          51
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                                   81
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                        0
<CHANGES>                                                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                                                          81
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                       1.07
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                       1.05
        

</TABLE>
