<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q OF THE MEAD CORPORATION FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD
ENDED JUNE 29, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THIS SCHEDULE SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO BE FILED FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 11 OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, SECTION 18 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
AND SECTION 323 OF THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939, OR OTHERWISE SUBJECT TO
THE LIABILITIES OF SUCH SECTIONS, NOR SHALL IT BE DEEMED A PART OF ANY
REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO WHICH IT RELATES.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-29-1997
<CASH>                                              16
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      756
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        541
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,407
<PP&E>                                           5,343
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,167
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   5,298
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              964
<BONDS>                                          1,274
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           156
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,124
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     5,298
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,322
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,088
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  25
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     69
<INCOME-TAX>                                        26
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 48
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        48
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .90
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0