<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND>             THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION
                     EXTRACTED   FROM  ASHLAND   INC.'S  ANNUAL  REPORT  TO
                     SHAREHOLDERS  FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED  SEPTEMBER 30,
                     1997, WHICH WAS RESTATED IN THE 3RD QUARTER 1998 10-Q,
                     AND IS  QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
                     DOCUMENTS   AND   NOTE  B  OF   NOTES   TO   CONDENSED
                     CONSOLIDATED  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS IN THE 3RD QUARTER
                     10-Q THAT EXPLAINS THE RESTATEMENT.
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000,000
       
                                                                   
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                         YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                     SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                                          SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                                                                51
<SECURITIES>                                                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                                      1,512
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                          25
<INVENTORY>                                                                          667
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                                   2,405
<PP&E>                                                                             5,095
<DEPRECIATION>                                                                     2,571
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                                     6,225
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                              1,908
<BONDS>                                                                            1,672
<COMMON>                                                                              64
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                                                          293
<OTHER-SE>                                                                         1,298
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                                       6,225
<SALES>                                                                           11,361
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                                  11,435
<CGS>                                                                             10,026
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                                     10,026
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                                       9
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                                   149
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                                       13
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                          (1)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                                   14
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                        10
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                        0
<CHANGES>                                                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                                                          24
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                        .08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                        .08