<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-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                              40
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      420
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        378
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,015
<PP&E>                                           1,622
<DEPRECIATION>                                     674
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,653
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              639
<BONDS>                                            643
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             2
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,644
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,653
<SALES>                                          2,980
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 2,980
<CGS>                                            2,210
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2,210
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   506
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  60
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    182
<INCOME-TAX>                                        79
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 82
<DISCONTINUED>                                     564
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (236)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       410
<EPS-BASIC>                                       2.35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.34