WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  




                                                                    EXHIBIT 27.1


<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM NL
INDUSTRIES INC.'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                         320,823
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  149,645
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,523
<INVENTORY>                                    191,568
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               689,155
<PP&E>                                         834,304
<DEPRECIATION>                                 454,275
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,297,255
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          452,349
<BONDS>                                        304,060
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         8,355
<OTHER-SE>                                     138,015
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,297,255
<SALES>                                        685,794
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               706,563
<CGS>                                          476,026
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  476,026
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 (131)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              46,917
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 85,283
<INCOME-TAX>                                    14,174
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             71,073
<DISCONTINUED>                                 287,396
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (4,766)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   353,703
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     6.89
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     6.80