<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM HERCULES
INCORPORATED'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                          46,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  694,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                    12,000
<INVENTORY>                                    418,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,228,000
<PP&E>                                       2,980,000
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,600,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,783,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          988,000
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        81,000
<OTHER-SE>                                     480,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,783,000
<SALES>                                        791,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               791,000
<CGS>                                          423,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  245,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              65,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 62,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                    24,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             38,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    38,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .37
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .37