<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
VALHI, INC.'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997, 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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                         350,933
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  180,448
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,065
<INVENTORY>                                    183,488
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               748,457
<PP&E>                                         684,701
<DEPRECIATION>                                 125,582
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,270,464
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          295,158
<BONDS>                                      1,096,759
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,253
<OTHER-SE>                                     383,718
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,270,464
<SALES>                                        820,719
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               820,719
<CGS>                                          618,098
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  618,098
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   178
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              91,434
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (13,089)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,066
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (12,058)
<DISCONTINUED>                                  34,463
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (4,291)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    18,114
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0