<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND>             THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION
                     EXTRACTED  FROM  ASHLAND  INC.'S 2ND QUARTER 1997 10-Q
                     WHICH WAS RESTATED IN THE 3RD QUARTER  1998 10-Q,  AND
                     IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY BY  REFERENCE  TO SUCH
                     10-Q'S 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>                                                         6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                     SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                          MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                                                                70
<SECURITIES>                                                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                                      1,656
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                          26
<INVENTORY>                                                                          727
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                                   2,667
<PP&E>                                                                             5,410
<DEPRECIATION>                                                                     2,779
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                                     6,692
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                              2,162
<BONDS>                                                                            1,723
<COMMON>                                                                              74
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                                                            0
<OTHER-SE>                                                                         1,738
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                                       6,692
<SALES>                                                                            6,191
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                                   6,248
<CGS>                                                                              5,475
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                                      5,475
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                                    74
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                                       49
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                          23
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                                   26
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                        17
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                        0
<CHANGES>                                                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                                                          43
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                        .51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                        .50