<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORT 
HOWARD CORPORATION'S UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR 
THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 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>               9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                              SEP-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                     1
<CASH>                                            693
<SECURITIES>                                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  93,461
<ALLOWANCES>                                    3,304
<INVENTORY>                                   136,696
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              278,946
<PP&E>                                      2,009,804
<DEPRECIATION>                                778,953
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              1,587,702
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         311,200
<BONDS>                                     2,500,695
<COMMON>                                          740
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<OTHER-SE>                                 (1,530,130)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                1,587,702
<SALES>                                     1,196,307
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            1,196,307
<CGS>                                         715,863
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 715,863
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            198,841
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               171,777
<INCOME-TAX>                                   65,386
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           106,391
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (3,340)
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                  103,051
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    1.50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    1.50