<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
BUSINESSES OF PACTIV CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                              11
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      309
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        450
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   872
<PP&E>                                           1,972
<DEPRECIATION>                                     603
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,425
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              598
<BONDS>                                          1,655
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             2
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,507
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,425
<SALES>                                            686
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   686
<CGS>                                              497
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      497
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   105
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  34
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     50
<INCOME-TAX>                                        21
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 29
<DISCONTINUED>                                     134
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       163
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .97
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .97