<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM TENNECO INC.
AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                              38
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      763
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        865
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,944
<PP&E>                                           3,890
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,349
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   7,529
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            2,325
<BONDS>                                          2,014
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             2
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,094
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     7,529
<SALES>                                          1,455
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,455
<CGS>                                            1,047
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,047
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   295
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  55
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     45
<INCOME-TAX>                                        17
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 22
<DISCONTINUED>                                   (172)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    (7)
<CHANGES>                                        (134)
<NET-INCOME>                                     (291)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (1.74)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.74)