<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM HERCULES
INCORPORATED'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                          63,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  782,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                    16,000
<INVENTORY>                                    380,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,338,000
<PP&E>                                       2,978,000
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,657,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,896,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,559,000
<BONDS>                                      1,777,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          992,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        83,000
<OTHER-SE>                                     780,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,896,000
<SALES>                                      3,248,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,248,000
<CGS>                                        1,770,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,768,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                51,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             185,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                243,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                    75,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            168,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   168,000
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.63
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.62