<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE TENNECO
INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                             237
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,509
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,252
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 3,811
<PP&E>                                          12,144
<DEPRECIATION>                                   5,748
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  13,312
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            3,473
<BONDS>                                          3,482
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              111
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           957
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,575
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    13,312
<SALES>                                          2,725
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 2,725
<CGS>                                            2,062
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2,062
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   420
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  89
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    230
<INCOME-TAX>                                        69
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                156
<DISCONTINUED>                                     339
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       495
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.89
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.87