<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> The schedule contains summary information extracted from the consolidated statement of earnings for the three months ended March 31, 1999 and the consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 1999 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <CIK> 0001012100 <NAME> SEALED AIR CORPORATION <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1999 <CASH> 85,280,000 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 449,204,000 <ALLOWANCES> 19,079,000 <INVENTORY> 269,504,000 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 875,614,000 <PP&E> 1,906,812,000 <DEPRECIATION> 836,003,000 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 4,018,620,000 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 703,275,000 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 1,789,707,000 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 8,380,000 <OTHER-SE> 429,635,000 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 4,018,620,000 <SALES> 678,937,000 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 678,937,000 <CGS> 433,239,000 <TOTAL-COSTS> 433,239,000 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 140,865,000 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 14,719,000 <INCOME-PRETAX> 87,950,000 <INCOME-TAX> 41,336,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 46,614,000 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 46,614,000 <EPS-PRIMARY> .34 <EPS-DILUTED> .34