<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ANNUAL
REPORT ON FORM 10-K OF THE MEAD CORPORATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                             293
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      586
<ALLOWANCES>                                        27
<INVENTORY>                                        411
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,367
<PP&E>                                           4,319
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,955
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,373
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              822
<BONDS>                                            695
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           158
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,002
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,373
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 5,179
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    4,104
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   552
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  69
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    488
<INCOME-TAX>                                       184
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                304
<DISCONTINUED>                                       8
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       350
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     6.33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.00