<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MEDUSA
CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES'STATEMENT OF INCOME AND BALANCE SHEET AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                            7649
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    39776
<ALLOWANCES>                                      1248
<INVENTORY>                                      35075
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 91753
<PP&E>                                          369900
<DEPRECIATION>                                  246355
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  226251
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            30694
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                      102678
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    226251
<SALES>                                          85995
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 85995
<CGS>                                            51855
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    63474
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (156)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 952
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  21725
<INCOME-TAX>                                      6756
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              14969
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     14969
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .93
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .87