<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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    31948
<ALLOWANCES>                                      1434
<INVENTORY>                                      33135
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 77172
<PP&E>                                          399086
<DEPRECIATION>                                  254000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  235486
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            45785
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                      154179
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    235486
<SALES>                                          56839
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 56839
<CGS>                                            43962
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    54402
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (352)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 108
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   2681
<INCOME-TAX>                                       850
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               1831
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      1831
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .11
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .11