<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 <CASH> 82,606 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 445,827 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 361,364 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 959,870 <PP&E> 2,571,788 <DEPRECIATION> 1,561,710 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,573,137 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 721,658 <BONDS> 0 <COMMON> 78,949 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 1,024,664 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,573,137 <SALES> 1,877,611 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,877,611 <CGS> 1,220,877 <TOTAL-COSTS> 1,541,444 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 20,945 <INCOME-PRETAX> 377,161 <INCOME-TAX> 128,355 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 248,806 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 248,806 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.18 <EPS-DILUTED> 0