<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS UNAUDITED SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION OR TREDEGAR
INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE SHEET FOR THE
PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 AND THE STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE THREE
MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                          63,721
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   65,699
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,905
<INVENTORY>                                     17,516
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               180,474
<PP&E>                                         256,392
<DEPRECIATION>                                 164,155
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 328,148
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           71,361
<BONDS>                                         35,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       113,119
<OTHER-SE>                                      73,197
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   328,148
<SALES>                                        141,387
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               141,004
<CGS>                                          113,734
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  113,734
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,816
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    86
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 650
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,718
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,371
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,347
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,347
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.00