<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND>             THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION
                     EXTRACTED  FROM ASHLAND  INC.'S 3RD QUARTER 1998 10-Q,
                     WHICH  RESTATED THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1997, 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-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                          JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                                                               112
<SECURITIES>                                                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                                      1,581
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                          27
<INVENTORY>                                                                          717
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                                   2,620
<PP&E>                                                                             5,478
<DEPRECIATION>                                                                     2,841
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                                     6,622
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                              2,118
<BONDS>                                                                            1,580
<COMMON>                                                                              74
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                                                            0
<OTHER-SE>                                                                         1,849
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                                       6,622
<SALES>                                                                            9,491
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                                   9,577
<CGS>                                                                              8,259
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                                      8,259
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                                   112
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                                      222
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                          78
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                                  144
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                        26
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                       (2)
<CHANGES>                                                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                                                         168
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                       2.33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                       2.21