<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
VALHI, INC.'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                         168,882
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  203,037
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,831
<INVENTORY>                                    232,406
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               655,751
<PP&E>                                         707,610
<DEPRECIATION>                                 166,492
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,216,010
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          316,851
<BONDS>                                        661,210
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,256
<OTHER-SE>                                     617,492
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,216,010
<SALES>                                        544,310
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               544,310
<CGS>                                          397,476
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  397,476
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   603
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              36,363
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 54,168
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (69,179)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             64,235
<DISCONTINUED>                                   2,000
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    66,235
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .58
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .57