<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>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                            4698
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    56610
<ALLOWANCES>                                      2348
<INVENTORY>                                      30631
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 97595
<PP&E>                                          424938
<DEPRECIATION>                                  261567
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  298224
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            42708
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                      182174
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    298224
<SALES>                                         117068
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                117068
<CGS>                                            69759
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    81767
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (18)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 399
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  34920
<INCOME-TAX>                                     11174
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              23746
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     23746
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.41