<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 BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                            7198
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    45902
<ALLOWANCES>                                      1845
<INVENTORY>                                      35272
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 96365
<PP&E>                                          406145
<DEPRECIATION>                                  257411
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  257682
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            57934
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                      164094
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    257682
<SALES>                                         103185
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                103185
<CGS>                                            60098
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    75904
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    44
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 301
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  26936
<INCOME-TAX>                                      8628
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              18308
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     18308
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.09