
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Georgia Gulf
Corporation's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           2,976
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   76,368
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,372
<INVENTORY>                                     80,287
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               179,380
<PP&E>                                         613,267
<DEPRECIATION>                                 241,836
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 557,099
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          126,517
<BONDS>                                        366,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           347
<OTHER-SE>                                      10,256
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   557,099
<SALES>                                        677,369
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               677,369
<CGS>                                          541,780
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  541,780
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,323
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 88,555
<INCOME-TAX>                                    33,592
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             54,963
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    54,963
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.50
        

</TABLE>
