<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                              40
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      795
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        954
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 2,190
<PP&E>                                           5,141
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,795
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   8,388
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            1,699
<BONDS>                                          2,638
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             2
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,596
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     8,388
<SALES>                                          5,352
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 5,352
<CGS>                                            3,894
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    3,894
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   926
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 157
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    440
<INCOME-TAX>                                       138
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                285
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       285
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.67
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.66