<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                              81
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      808
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        936
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 2,147
<PP&E>                                           5,029
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,747
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   8,257
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            1,687
<BONDS>                                          2,663
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             2
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,536
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     8,257
<SALES>                                          3,521
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 3,521
<CGS>                                            2,563
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2,563
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   628
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  98
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    273
<INCOME-TAX>                                        82
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                180
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       180
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.05