<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>                                              20
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      498
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        383
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,158
<PP&E>                                           1,791
<DEPRECIATION>                                     756
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,797
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              763
<BONDS>                                            727
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             2
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,526
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,797
<SALES>                                            800
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   800
<CGS>                                              585
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      585
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   138
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  13
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     70
<INCOME-TAX>                                        19
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 43
<DISCONTINUED>                                      32
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        75
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .44
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .44