<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS UNAUDITED SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR TREDEGAR
INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE SHEET AS OF
DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND THE STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         101,261
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   64,563
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,487
<INVENTORY>                                     17,658
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               194,422
<PP&E>                                         260,200
<DEPRECIATION>                                 169,771
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 341,077
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           61,301
<BONDS>                                         35,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       113,019
<OTHER-SE>                                      99,526
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   341,077
<SALES>                                        523,551
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               527,799
<CGS>                                          417,270
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  417,270
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                38,877
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   481
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,176
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 68,995
<INCOME-TAX>                                    23,960
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             45,035
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    45,035
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.44
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.00