<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND>             THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION
                     EXTRACTED  FROM ASHLAND INC.'S 1ST QUARTER 10-Q AND IS
                     QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 10-Q.
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000,000
       
                                                                         
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                                3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                            SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                                                 DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                                                                91
<SECURITIES>                                                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                                      1,109
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                          21
<INVENTORY>                                                                          471
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                                   1,860
<PP&E>                                                                             2,472
<DEPRECIATION>                                                                     1,289
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                                     5,970
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                              1,311
<BONDS>                                                                            1,511
<COMMON>                                                                              75
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                                                            0
<OTHER-SE>                                                                         1,988
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                                       5,970
<SALES>                                                                            1,646
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                                   1,633
<CGS>                                                                              1,350
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                                      1,350
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                                    33
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                                      (17)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                          (6)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                                  (11)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                        0
<CHANGES>                                                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                                                         (11)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                       (.14)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                       (.14)