<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 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>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                              29
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      402
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        378
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,050
<PP&E>                                           1,767
<DEPRECIATION>                                     738
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,682
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              691
<BONDS>                                            713
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             2
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,526
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,682
<SALES>                                          3,226
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 3,226
<CGS>                                            2,337
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2,337
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   531
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  58
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    337
<INCOME-TAX>                                        80
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                234
<DISCONTINUED>                                     127
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                         (46)
<NET-INCOME>                                       315
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.85
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.84