<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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                              29
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      798
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        814
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 2,046
<PP&E>                                           3,687
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,179
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   7,634
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            1,601
<BONDS>                                          2,223
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             2
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,526
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     7,634
<SALES>                                          1,433
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,433
<CGS>                                            1,023
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,023
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   269
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  46
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    106
<INCOME-TAX>                                        37
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 61
<DISCONTINUED>                                      14
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        75
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .44
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .44