<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>                                              31
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      539
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        425
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,113
<PP&E>                                           1,892
<DEPRECIATION>                                     846
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,335
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              949
<BONDS>                                            677
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             2
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,094
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,335
<SALES>                                            789
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   789
<CGS>                                              596
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      596
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   140
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  19
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     36
<INCOME-TAX>                                        14
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 16
<DISCONTINUED>                                   (166)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    (7)
<CHANGES>                                        (134)
<NET-INCOME>                                     (291)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (1.74)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.74)