<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 
FORT HOWARD CORPORATION'S UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 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>                        3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                       DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                            MAR-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                   1
<CASH>                                                          663
<SECURITIES>                                                      0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                74,314
<ALLOWANCES>                                                  3,484
<INVENTORY>                                                 149,301
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                            284,915
<PP&E>                                                    2,062,864
<DEPRECIATION>                                              831,337
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                            1,581,023
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                       241,436
<BONDS>                                                   2,441,446
<COMMON>                                                        746
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                             0
<PREFERRED>                                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                               (1,404,220)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                              1,581,023
<SALES>                                                     400,759
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                            400,759
<CGS>                                                       229,040
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                               229,040
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                  0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                  0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                           57,862
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                              79,595
<INCOME-TAX>                                                 29,848
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                          49,747
<DISCONTINUED>                                                    0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                              (1,327)
<CHANGES>                                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                                 48,420
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                  0.65
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                  0.65