<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

                                                                          
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                                3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                            SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                                                 DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                                                                46
<SECURITIES>                                                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                                      1,274
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                          24
<INVENTORY>                                                                          522
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                                   2,326
<PP&E>                                                                             2,902
<DEPRECIATION>                                                                     1,390
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                                     6,950
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                              1,664
<BONDS>                                                                            2,198
<COMMON>                                                                              71
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                                                            0
<OTHER-SE>                                                                         1,901
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                                       6,950
<SALES>                                                                            1,897
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                                   1,711
<CGS>                                                                              1,594
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                                      1,594
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                                    43
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                                     (170)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                          (4)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                                 (166)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                        0
<CHANGES>                                                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                                                        (166)
<EPS-BASIC>                                                                        (2.32)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                      (2.32)