<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 
FORT HOWARD CORPORATION'S UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS 
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000038195
<NAME> FORT HOWARD CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                         
<PERIOD-TYPE>               6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                              JUN-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                     1
<CASH>                                            732
<SECURITIES>                                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  90,228
<ALLOWANCES>                                    3,160
<INVENTORY>                                   135,623
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              271,123
<PP&E>                                      1,993,548
<DEPRECIATION>                                754,638
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              1,594,666
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         278,713
<BONDS>                                     2,598,850
<COMMON>                                          740
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<OTHER-SE>                                 (1,573,815)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                1,594,666
<SALES>                                       788,144
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              788,144
<CGS>                                         481,856
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 481,856
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            136,974
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               100,890
<INCOME-TAX>                                   37,573
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            63,317
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (3,340)
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                   59,977
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.91
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.91