<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the New 
Tenneco Inc. and combined companies financial statements and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                             130
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      529
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        882
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 2,013
<PP&E>                                           4,685
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,586
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   7,339
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            2,190
<BONDS>                                          1,531
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,466
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     7,339
<SALES>                                          4,886
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 4,886
<CGS>                                            3,580
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    3,580
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   832
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 145
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    440
<INCOME-TAX>                                       171
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                254
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0 
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       254
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0