<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from NL
Industries Inc.'s consolidated financial statements for the twelve months ended
December 31, 1996, 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-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         114,115
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  126,995
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,813
<INVENTORY>                                    232,510
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               500,246
<PP&E>                                         956,897
<DEPRECIATION>                                 490,851
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,221,358
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          290,345
<BONDS>                                        737,100
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         8,355
<OTHER-SE>                                   (211,836)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,221,358
<SALES>                                        986,074
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               986,074
<CGS>                                          738,438
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  738,438
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    30
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              75,039
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 25,613
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (14,833)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,817
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,817
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.21