<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM VALHI, INC.'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998 <CASH> 224,572 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 160,870 <ALLOWANCES> 2,687 <INVENTORY> 246,338 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 675,462 <PP&E> 686,203 <DEPRECIATION> 158,867 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,242,153 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 352,586 <BONDS> 630,554 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,255 <OTHER-SE> 577,267 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,242,153 <SALES> 1,059,447 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,059,447 <CGS> 736,656 <TOTAL-COSTS> 736,656 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> (99) <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 91,188 <INCOME-PRETAX> 490,206 <INCOME-TAX> 192,212 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 225,817 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> (6,195) <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 219,622 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.91 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.89