<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM VALHI, INC.'S
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997, AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                         394,616
<SECURITIES>                                   148,810
<RECEIVABLES>                                  187,234
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,994
<INVENTORY>                                    200,108
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               957,967
<PP&E>                                         682,153
<DEPRECIATION>                                 116,481
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,341,741
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          439,875
<BONDS>                                      1,057,585
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,252
<OTHER-SE>                                     381,496
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,341,741
<SALES>                                        545,526
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               545,526
<CGS>                                          417,031
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  417,031
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   120
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              61,273
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (27,969)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (7,493)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (20,504)
<DISCONTINUED>                                  35,413
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (394)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    14,515
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0