<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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                             116
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      678
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        910
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 2,025
<PP&E>                                           4,870
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,690
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   7,622
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            1,721
<BONDS>                                          2,045
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             2
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,553
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     7,622
<SALES>                                          1,629
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,629
<CGS>                                            1,207
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,207
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   303
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  45
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    114
<INCOME-TAX>                                        33
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 76
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        76
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .44
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .44