<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from FMC Corporation Form 10-Q for the 3-month and 9-month periods ended September 30, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 86 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 849 <ALLOWANCES> 11 <INVENTORY> 557 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,693 <PP&E> 3,842 <DEPRECIATION> 2,002 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 4,387 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,466 <BONDS> 1,326 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 4 <OTHER-SE> 922 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 4,387 <SALES> 3,187 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 3,230 <CGS> 2,363 <TOTAL-COSTS> 2,363 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 92 <INCOME-PRETAX> 180 <INCOME-TAX> 43 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 137<F1> <DISCONTINUED> 39 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 176 <EPS-PRIMARY> 4.59 <EPS-DILUTED> 4.58 <FN> <F1> Income from continuing operations before income taxes is net of minority interests of 8 for the nine months ended September 30, 1997. Minority interests are primarily limited to partners' share of partnership profits for which tax has not been provided. </FN>