<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This Schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Stone
Container Corporation and Subsidiaries' December 31, 1995 Consolidated Balance
Sheet and Consolidated Statement of Operations and Retained Earnings and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                              40
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      765
<ALLOWANCES>                                        22
<INVENTORY>                                        733
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  1683
<PP&E>                                            4750
<DEPRECIATION>                                    2114
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    6399
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              702
<BONDS>                                           3885
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        115
<COMMON>                                           953
<OTHER-SE>                                        (63)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                      6399
<SALES>                                           7351
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                  7351
<CGS>                                             5169
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     6149
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (53)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 460
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    795
<INCOME-TAX>                                       321
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                445
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (189)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       256
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.63
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.24