<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                              18
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      551
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        381
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,156
<PP&E>                                           1,822
<DEPRECIATION>                                     778
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,829
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              753
<BONDS>                                            747
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             2
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,557
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,829
<SALES>                                          1,664
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,664
<CGS>                                            1,174
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,174
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   290
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  30
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    177
<INCOME-TAX>                                        55
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                106
<DISCONTINUED>                                     106
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       212
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.25