<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM NL
INDUSTRIES INC.'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 1995, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1995
<CASH>                                         137,264
<SECURITIES>                                     2,387
<RECEIVABLES>                                  171,543
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,177
<INVENTORY>                                    195,608
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               546,291
<PP&E>                                         938,165
<DEPRECIATION>                                 486,949
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,264,297
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          259,869
<BONDS>                                        765,478
<COMMON>                                         8,355
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   (271,463)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,264,297
<SALES>                                        534,349
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               534,349
<CGS>                                          357,664
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  357,664
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   179
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              41,728
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 49,352
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (14,802)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             34,064
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    34,064
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.66
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.66