<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
VALHI, INC.'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS
ENDED MARCH 31, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                         544,309
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  189,951
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,279
<INVENTORY>                                    184,601
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               938,660
<PP&E>                                         633,147
<DEPRECIATION>                                 127,214
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,428,580
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          337,028
<BONDS>                                        861,545
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,254
<OTHER-SE>                                     585,708
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,428,580
<SALES>                                        267,388
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               267,388
<CGS>                                          187,579
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  187,579
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   128
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              25,450
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                420,758
<INCOME-TAX>                                   181,641
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            204,667
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (1,269)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   203,398
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.77
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.75