<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND>   THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
           EXTRACTED FROM ASHLAND INC.'S 3RD QUARTER 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-30-1995
           <PERIOD-END>                                            JUN-30-1995
           <CASH>                                                           38
           <SECURITIES>                                                      0
           <RECEIVABLES>                                                 1,577
           <ALLOWANCES>                                                     24
           <INVENTORY>                                                     826
           <CURRENT-ASSETS>                                              2,691
           <PP&E>                                                        7,142
           <DEPRECIATION>                                                3,517
           <TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                7,208
           <CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                         2,169
           <BONDS>                                                       1,806
           <COMMON>                                                         63
           <PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                             0
           <PREFERRED>                                                     293
           <OTHER-SE>                                                    1,341
           <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                  7,208
           <SALES>                                                       8,915
           <TOTAL-REVENUES>                                              8,966
           <CGS>                                                         7,842
           <TOTAL-COSTS>                                                 7,842
           <OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                920
           <LOSS-PROVISION>                                                  0
           <INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                              125
           <INCOME-PRETAX>                                                  79
           <INCOME-TAX>                                                     18
           <INCOME-CONTINUING>                                              54
           <DISCONTINUED>                                                    0
           <EXTRAORDINARY>                                                   0
           <CHANGES>                                                         0
           <NET-INCOME>                                                     54
           <EPS-PRIMARY>                                                   .65
           <EPS-DILUTED>                                                   .65