<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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                              11
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      301
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        404
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   924
<PP&E>                                           1,856
<DEPRECIATION>                                     398
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,618
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              744
<BONDS>                                          1,492
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,839
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,618
<SALES>                                          2,563
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 2,563
<CGS>                                            1,813
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,813
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   450
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 124
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    182
<INCOME-TAX>                                        75
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                106
<DISCONTINUED>                                      21
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                         (38)
<NET-INCOME>                                        89
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .52
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .52