<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM VALHI, INC.'S
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996, AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                         144,669
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  258,206
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,698
<INVENTORY>                                    373,642
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               788,665
<PP&E>                                       1,210,003
<DEPRECIATION>                                 359,429
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,417,988
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          561,657
<BONDS>                                      1,078,667
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,248
<OTHER-SE>                                     268,359
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,417,988
<SALES>                                        933,578
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               933,578
<CGS>                                          710,505
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  710,505
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                24,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 (355)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              58,990
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,696
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,014
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,062
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,062
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .03
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0