<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM UNION
CARBIDE CORPORATION'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 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>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                              94
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                     1047
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        541
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  1873
<PP&E>                                            7159
<DEPRECIATION>                                    3750
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    6546
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             1278
<BONDS>                                           1487
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              144
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           155
<OTHER-SE>                                        1959
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                      6546
<SALES>                                           6106
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                  6106
<CGS>                                             4568
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     4568
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   471
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  76
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    845
<INCOME-TAX>                                       236
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                593
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       593
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     4.28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.90
<FN>
<F1>Other Expenses are equal to Research and Development of 159 and
Depreciation and Amortization of 312.
</FN>