<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                              10
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      345
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        441
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   918
<PP&E>                                           1,971
<DEPRECIATION>                                     607
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,466
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              582
<BONDS>                                          1,740
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             2
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,477
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,466
<SALES>                                          1,455
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,455
<CGS>                                            1,040
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,040
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   229
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  67
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    119
<INCOME-TAX>                                        50
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 68
<DISCONTINUED>                                     134
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       202
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.23