<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          47,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  457,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    301,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               851,000
<PP&E>                                       2,611,000
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,667,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,152,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,360,000
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        81,000
<OTHER-SE>                                     610,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,152,000
<SALES>                                      1,385,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,385,000
<CGS>                                          852,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,089,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              42,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                254,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                    81,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            173,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   173,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.80