<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
BUSINESSES OF PACTIV CORPORATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 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-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                              12
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      279
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        429
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   866
<PP&E>                                           1,968
<DEPRECIATION>                                     572
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,588
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              920
<BONDS>                                          1,741
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             2
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,348
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,588
<SALES>                                          2,921
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 2,921
<CGS>                                            2,030
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2,030
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   896
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 146
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (159)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (47)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (112)
<DISCONTINUED>                                   (193)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    (7)
<CHANGES>                                         (32)
<NET-INCOME>                                     (344)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (2.05)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (2.05)