<ARTICLE>    5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ANNUAL
REPORT ON FORM 10-K OF INTERNATIONAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>        0000874578
<NAME>       INTERNATIONAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                           
<PERIOD-TYPE>                 YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                  DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                             17,753
<SECURITIES>                      117,573
<RECEIVABLES>                      66,875
<ALLOWANCES>                        2,840
<INVENTORY>                       108,586
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                  348,528
<PP&E>                            489,474
<DEPRECIATION>                    189,130
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                  1,316,914
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>             128,826
<BONDS>                           310,294
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                   0
<PREFERRED>                             0
<COMMON>                              999
<OTHER-SE>                        700,494
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>    1,316,914
<SALES>                           716,481
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                  716,481
<CGS>                             418,921
<TOTAL-COSTS>                     418,921
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                        0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                        0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                 28,729
<INCOME-PRETAX>                   125,967
<INCOME-TAX>                       45,304
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                80,663
<DISCONTINUED>                          0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                         0
<CHANGES>                               0
<NET-INCOME>                       80,663
<EPS-PRIMARY>                         .83
<EPS-DILUTED>                         .83