<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM VALHI, INC.'S
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         255,679
<SECURITIES>                                   142,478
<RECEIVABLES>                                  158,589
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,087
<INVENTORY>                                    251,597
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               837,663
<PP&E>                                         853,681
<DEPRECIATION>                                 163,442
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,144,982
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          563,680
<BONDS>                                        844,468
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,248
<OTHER-SE>                                     302,671
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,144,982
<SALES>                                      1,190,791
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,190,791
<CGS>                                          909,287
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  909,287
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,860
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             100,195
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 14,653
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,511
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,227
<DISCONTINUED>                                  37,819
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    42,046
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .37
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0