<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from NL Industries
Inc.'s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1994,
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such consolidated financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1994
<CASH>                                         131,124
<SECURITIES>                                    25,165
<RECEIVABLES>                                  119,173
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,749
<INVENTORY>                                    185,173
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               486,432
<PP&E>                                         846,787
<DEPRECIATION>                                 438,960
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,162,410
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          244,914
<BONDS>                                        746,762
<COMMON>                                         8,355
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   (301,437)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,162,410
<SALES>                                        887,954
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               887,954
<CGS>                                          649,745
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  649,745
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,141
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              83,926
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (13,405)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,734
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (23,982)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (23,982)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.47)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.47)