<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000804104
<NAME> ARISTECH CHEMICAL CORP.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           4,600
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  128,800
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (500)
<INVENTORY>                                    121,300
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               255,400
<PP&E>                                         886,900
<DEPRECIATION>                                 272,700
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,062,400
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          172,100
<BONDS>                                        338,900
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     352,300
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,062,400
<SALES>                                        683,300
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               683,300
<CGS>                                          565,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  601,500
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,800
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 14,800
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,800
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0