<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Marvel III Holdings Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and
Statements of Operations.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                       0000921145
<NAME>                       MARVEL III HOLDINGS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                 1,000,000
<CURRENCY>                                U.S. DOLLARS
       
                                       
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                              36
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      292
<ALLOWANCES>                                        35
<INVENTORY>                                         99
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   502
<PP&E>                                             123
<DEPRECIATION>                                      35
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   1,567
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              923
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                       (341)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     1,567
<SALES>                                            581
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   581
<CGS>                                              372
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      372
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   184
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 105
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (85)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       (1)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (92)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (92)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0