<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM VALHI, INC.'S
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996, AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                         142,468
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  249,645
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,199
<INVENTORY>                                    467,842
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               872,378
<PP&E>                                       1,195,631
<DEPRECIATION>                                 345,163
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,495,730
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          598,036
<BONDS>                                      1,105,284
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,247
<OTHER-SE>                                     265,390
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,495,730
<SALES>                                        462,795
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               462,795
<CGS>                                          349,714
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  349,714
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                24,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   160
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,316
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (6,536)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (3,169)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (5,688)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (5,688)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.05)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0