<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 MARCH 31, 1998 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>
<RESTATED> 
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998             MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                              19                      30
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      436                     421
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                        510                     424
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,052                     951
<PP&E>                                           5,533                   5,465
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,245                   2,191
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   5,308                   5,152
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              771                     639
<BONDS>                                          1,428                   1,428
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           155                     155
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,145                   2,134
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     5,308                   5,152
<SALES>                                            839                   3,746
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   839                   3,746
<CGS>                                              661                   3,009
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      661                   3,009
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  27                      98
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     58                     242
<INCOME-TAX>                                        21                      88
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 34                     163
<DISCONTINUED>                                     (3)                    (13)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                        31                     150
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .29                    1.44
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .29                    1.41