<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM VALHI, INC.'S
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                         160,613
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  243,427
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,509
<INVENTORY>                                    318,257
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               739,861
<PP&E>                                       1,206,277
<DEPRECIATION>                                 348,725
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,368,890
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          579,799
<BONDS>                                      1,029,415
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,248
<OTHER-SE>                                     259,822
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,368,890
<SALES>                                      1,255,386
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,255,386
<CGS>                                          955,686
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  955,686
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 (142)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              81,541
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 24,032
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,287
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,826
<DISCONTINUED>                                (10,674)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,848)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.01)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.01)