<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