<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>

EXHIBIT 27 - FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE - UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION

THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM UNION
CARBIDE CORPORATION'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

</LEGEND>

<CIK> 0000100790
<NAME> UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                              78
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                     1079
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        515
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  1856
<PP&E>                                            6875
<DEPRECIATION>                                    3673
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    6334
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             1290
<BONDS>                                           1288
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              145
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           155
<OTHER-SE>                                        1910
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                      6334
<SALES>                                           3060
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                  3060
<CGS>                                             2249
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     2249
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   230
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  37
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    467
<INCOME-TAX>                                       131
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                336
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       325
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.13