PRESS RELEASE



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                  CONTACT:

VALHI, INC.                             STEVEN L. WATSON
THREE LINCOLN CENTRE                    VICE PRESIDENT
5430 LBJ FREEWAY                        (972) 233-1700
DALLAS, TEXAS 75240-2697





                     VALHI DECLARES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND AND
                       HOLDS ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS MEETING


     DALLAS, TEXAS . . . May 7, 1998 . . . Valhi, Inc. (NYSE: VHI) announced
today that its board of directors has declared a regular quarterly dividend of
five cents ($0.05) per share on its common stock, payable on June 30, 1998 to
stockholders of record at the close of business on June 19, 1998.

     Valhi also announced that five directors of the Company were elected for
terms of one year at its annual stockholders meeting held today.  The directors
of the Company are:  Norman S. Edelcup, Kenneth R. Ferris, Glenn R. Simmons,
Harold C. Simmons and J. Walter Tucker, Jr.

     Valhi is engaged in the chemicals, component products and waste management
industries.

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