<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           28282
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    48952
<ALLOWANCES>                                      1868
<INVENTORY>                                      27375
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                110848
<PP&E>                                          374264
<DEPRECIATION>                                  250222
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  245420
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            36071
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                      116174
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    245420
<SALES>                                         109295
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                109295
<CGS>                                            65657
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    76513
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (358)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                1022
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  32118
<INCOME-TAX>                                     10024
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              22094
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     22094
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.38
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.27