<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM NL
INDUSTRIES INC.'S CONSOLIDATED FINANACIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995, 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-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                         141,333
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  133,264
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,039
<INVENTORY>                                    251,630
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               551,071
<PP&E>                                         946,086
<DEPRECIATION>                                 486,870
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,271,653
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          302,425
<BONDS>                                        740,334
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            8,355
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                   (217,776)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,271,653
<SALES>                                      1,023,939
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,023,939
<CGS>                                          676,184
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  676,184
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   289
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              81,617
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 98,902
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (12,671)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             85,609
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    85,609
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.66
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.66