<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE  CONTAINS SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED
FROM ASHLAND  INC.'S 3RD QUARTER 1997 10-Q WHICH  RESTATED THE PERIOD ENDED
JUNE 30,  1996,  AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 10-Q
AND NOTE B OF NOTES TO CONDENSED  CONSOLIDATED  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS  THAT
EXPLAINS THE RESTATEMENT.
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000,000
       
                                                
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                  SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                       JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                                      71
<SECURITIES>                                                 0
<RECEIVABLES>                                            1,685
<ALLOWANCES>                                                27
<INVENTORY>                                                763
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                         2,763
<PP&E>                                                   6,219
<DEPRECIATION>                                           3,026
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                           7,107
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                    2,247
<BONDS>                                                  1,752
<COMMON>                                                    65
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                        0
<PREFERRED>                                                293
<OTHER-SE>                                               1,424
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                             7,107
<SALES>                                                  9,459
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                         9,515
<CGS>                                                    8,300
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                            8,300
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                             0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                             0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                         128
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                            136
<INCOME-TAX>                                                50
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                         95
<DISCONTINUED>                                              70
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                              0
<CHANGES>                                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                                               165
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                             2.34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                             2.23