<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS UNAUDITED SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR TREDEGAR
INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE SHEET FOR THE
PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND THE STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          99,026
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   68,743
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,589
<INVENTORY>                                     17,034
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               200,948
<PP&E>                                         255,591
<DEPRECIATION>                                 165,693
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 345,689
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           73,463
<BONDS>                                         35,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       111,836
<OTHER-SE>                                      91,027
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   345,689
<SALES>                                        397,143
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               400,467
<CGS>                                          317,556
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  317,556
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                26,702
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   219
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,608
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 54,382
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,627
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             35,755
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    35,755
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.74
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.00