<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
Hercules Incorporated 3Q95 10Q Exhibit 27-Financial Data Schedule
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1995
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<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  445,827
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<PP&E>                                       2,571,788
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,561,710
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<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          721,658
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<COMMON>                                        78,949
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<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,573,137
<SALES>                                      1,877,611
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<CGS>                                        1,220,877
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<INCOME-PRETAX>                                377,161
<INCOME-TAX>                                   128,355
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            248,806
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