<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND>          THIS  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION
                  EXTRACTED  FROM ASHLAND  INC.'S 3RD QUARTER 2000 10-Q AND
                  IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 10-Q.
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000,000

                                                                          
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                                      9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                            SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                                                 JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                                                                29
<SECURITIES>                                                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                                      1,239
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                          28
<INVENTORY>                                                                          549
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                                   2,107
<PP&E>                                                                             2,910
<DEPRECIATION>                                                                     1,445
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                                     6,781
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                              1,845
<BONDS>                                                                            1,898
<COMMON>                                                                              70
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                                                            0
<OTHER-SE>                                                                         1,838
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                                       6,781
<SALES>                                                                            5,821
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                                   6,159
<CGS>                                                                              4,887
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                                      4,887
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                                   138
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                                      330
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                         135
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                                  195
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                      (218)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                       (3)
<CHANGES>                                                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                                                         (26)
<EPS-BASIC>                                                                         (.36)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                       (.36)