1
                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, DC  20549

                                  FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

     For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1996

                                     OR

[ ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

     For the transition period from                to 
                                    ---------------  ------------------

                       Commission file number 1-12626

                          EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                 DELAWARE                             62-1539359
     (State or other jurisdiction of               (I.R.S. Employer
     incorporation or organization)                Identification No.)
                                                   
          100 N. EASTMAN ROAD                      
           KINGSPORT, TENNESSEE                         37660
     (Address of principal executive offices)        (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (423) 229-2000

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes___X____       No_________

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

                                             Number of Shares Outstanding at
                     Class                         September 30, 1996
    
    Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share            77,695,205




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                PAGE 1 OF 59 TOTAL SEQUENTIALLY NUMBER PAGES
                          EXHIBIT INDEX ON PAGE 14


   2




                              TABLE OF CONTENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM                                                                     PAGE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      
                       PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                                   
1. Financial Statements                                                  3 - 6

2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
   Results of Operations                                                  7-11


                         PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

1. Legal Proceedings                                                        12
                                                                              
6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                         12
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                 SIGNATURES                                   
                                                                              
   Signatures                                                               13





                                      2
   3

                  EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND RETAINED EARNINGS
               (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)




                                                                   THIRD QUARTER           FIRST NINE MONTHS
                                                                 1996          1995        1996         1995
                                                                                                    
Sales                                                            $1,167        $1,266      $3,669      $3,819
Cost of sales                                                       873           858       2,735       2,667
                                                                 ------        ------      ------      ------
Gross profit                                                        294           408         934       1,152
                                                                                                       
Selling and general administrative expenses                          78           102         247         271
Research and development costs                                       47            46         137         128
                                                                 ------        ------      ------      ------
Operating earnings                                                  169           260         550         753
                                                                                                       
Interest expense                                                     16            19          51          58
Other (income) charges, net                                          (3)            2         (12)        (12)
                                                                 ------        ------      ------      ------
Earnings before income taxes                                        156           239         511         707
                                                                                                       
Provision for income taxes                                           60            91         191         269
                                                                 ------        ------      ------      ------
                                                                                                       
Net earnings                                                     $   96        $  148      $  320      $  438
                                                                 ======        ======      ======      ======
                                                                                                       
                                                                                                       
Net earnings per share                                           $ 1.22        $ 1.81      $ 4.02      $ 5.28
                                                                 ======        ======      ======      ======
                                                                                                       
Retained earnings at beginning of period                         $1,842        $1,482      $1,684      $1,258
Net earnings                                                         96           148         320         438
Cash dividends declared                                             (34)          (33)       (100)        (99)
                                                                 ------        ------      ------      ------
                                                                                                       
Retained earnings at end of period                               $1,904        $1,597      $1,904      $1,597
                                                                 ======        ======      ======      ======






The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                      3


   4


                  EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
                            (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)




                                                                     SEPTEMBER 30,  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                         1996          1995
                                                                               
ASSETS
Current assets
 Cash and cash equivalents                                              $   61        $  100
 Receivables                                                               759           802
 Inventories                                                               459           467
 Other current assets                                                      122           100
                                                                        ------        ------
  Total current assets                                                   1,401         1,469
                                                                        ------        ------
                                                                                      
Properties                                                                            
 Properties and equipment at cost                                        7,267         6,791
 Less: Accumulated depreciation                                          3,945         3,742
                                                                        ------        ------
  Net properties                                                         3,322         3,049
                                                                        ------        ------
                                                                                      
Other noncurrent assets                                                    382           336
                                                                        ------        ------
                                                                                      
 Total assets                                                           $5,105        $4,854
                                                                        ======        ======
                                                                                      
LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY                                                   
Current liabilities                                                                   
 Payables                                                               $  633        $  771
 Other current liabilities                                                  84           102
                                                                        ------        ------
  Total current liabilities                                                717           873
                                                                                      
 Long-term borrowings                                                    1,474         1,217
 Deferred income tax credits                                               355           330
 Postemployment obligations                                                712           690
 Other long-term liabilities                                               249           216
                                                                        ------        ------
  Total liabilities                                                      3,507         3,326
                                                                        ------        ------
                                                                                      
 Shareowners' equity                                                                  
  Common stock ($0.01 par-350,000,000 shares authorized;                              
   shares issued - 83,383,833 and 83,250,683)                                1             1
  Paid in capital                                                           37            30
  Retained earnings                                                      1,904         1,684
  Cumulative translation adjustment                                         11            13
                                                                        ------        ------
                                                                         1,953         1,728
                                                                                      
  Less: Treasury stock at cost (5,688,628 and 3,308,200 shares)            355           200
                                                                        ------        ------
                                                                                      
    Total shareowners' equity                                            1,598         1,528
                                                                        ------        ------
                                                                                      
    Total liabilities and shareowners' equity                           $5,105        $4,854
                                                                        ======        ======









The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                      4


   5
                   EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW

                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)





                                                                                          FIRST NINE MONTHS
                                                                                        1996            1995
                                                                                                 
Cash flows from operating activities
 Net earnings                                                                          $   320         $   438
                                                                                       -------         -------
                                                                                                       
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net                                                           
 cash provided by operating activities                                                                  
   Depreciation                                                                            232             230
   Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes                                            12             (40)
   (Increase) decrease in receivables                                                       43            (119)
   (Increase) decrease in inventories                                                        4             (69)
   Increase (decrease) in incentive pay and employee                                                   
    benefit liabilities                                                                    (88)            126
  Increase (decrease) in liabilities excluding borrowings,                                             
   incentive pay, and employee benefit liabilities                                         (23)             44
 Other items, net                                                                          (17)             (5)
                                                                                       -------         -------
 Total adjustments                                                                         163             167
                                                                                       -------         -------
                                                                                                       
Net cash provided by operating activities                                                  483             605
                                                                                       -------         -------
                                                                                                       
Cash flows from investing activities                                                                   
 Additions to properties and equipment                                                    (516)           (285)
 Acquisitions and investments in joint ventures                                            (21)            (57)
 Proceeds from sale of assets                                                               36               7
 Capital advances to suppliers                                                             (33)            (35)
 Other items                                                                                 2              (1)
                                                                                       -------         -------
                                                                                                       
  Net cash used in investing activities                                                   (532)           (371)
                                                                                       -------         -------
                                                                                                       
Cash flows from financing activities                                                                   
 Net increase in commercial paper borrowings                                               257              11
 Dividends to shareowners                                                                 (100)            (99)
 Treasury stock purchases                                                                 (157)           (175)
 Other items                                                                                10               5
                                                                                       -------         -------
                                                                                                       
  Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                                       10            (258)
                                                                                       -------         -------
                                                                                                       
  Net change in cash and cash equivalents                                                  (39)            (24)
                                                                                                       
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                           100              90
                                                                                       -------         -------
                                                                                                       
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                             $    61         $    66
                                                                                       =======         =======




The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                      5



   6


                  EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

  The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have
  been prepared by the Company in accordance and consistent with the accounting
  policies stated in the Company's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K and should
  be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements appearing
  therein.  In the opinion of the Company, all adjustments (consisting only of
  normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation have been
  included in the interim consolidated financial statements.  The interim
  consolidated financial statements are based in part on approximations and
  have not been audited by independent accountants.

  Certain 1995 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 1996
  presentation.

2.  INVENTORIES



                                                         SEPTEMBER 30,  DECEMBER 31,
(Dollars in millions)                                         1996         1995
                                                                    
At FIFO or average cost (approximates current cost):

 Finished goods                                             $   427       $   461
 Work in process                                                142           127
 Raw materials and supplies                                     207           199
                                                            -------       -------
Total inventories at FIFO or average cost                       776           787
                                                            -------       -------
                                                                          
Reduction to LIFO value                                        (317)         (320)
                                                            -------       -------
                                                                          
Total inventories at LIFO value                             $   459       $   467
                                                            =======       =======



  Inventories valued on the LIFO method are approximately 80% of total
  inventories in each of the periods.




3.  DIVIDENDS                                         THIRD QUARTER        FIRST NINE MONTHS
                                                      1996     1995        1996         1995
                                                                            
Cash dividends declared per share                     $.44     $.42        $1.28        $1.22


                                      6
   7

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND 
         RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations should be read in conjunction with the Company's Consolidated
Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis contained in the
1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the unaudited interim consolidated
financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following analysis of Eastman's operations compares 1996 results with 1995,
a year in which the Company reported record sales and earnings.  While 1996
results show overall decreases compared with 1995, the Company's net earnings
for the first nine months annualized still produced a solid return on equity of
27 percent.

EARNINGS




(Dollars in millions, except          THIRD QUARTER                      FIRST NINE MONTHS
per share amounts)                  1996          1995        CHANGE      1996       1995      CHANGE
                                                                                      
Operating earnings                  $169         $ 260        (35)%       $ 550      $ 753      (27)%
Net earnings                          96           148        (35)          320        438      (27)
Net earnings per share              1.22          1.81        (33)         4.02       5.28      (24)





                                      THIRD QUARTER                                FIRST NINE MONTHS
                                    1996         1995           CHANGE        1996       1995       CHANGE
                                                                                  
CHANGES IN EARNINGS PER SHARE

Net earnings per share              $1.22       $ 1.81          $  (.59)      $4.02      $5.28      $(1.26)
                                                                =======                             ======
Operations
 Selling price                                                  $ (1.06)                            $(1.47)   
 Volume and mix                                                     .17                                .19    
 Raw materials, supplies, and                                                                                 
  energy costs                                                      .39                                .07    
 Variable-incentive pay                                             .16                                .36    
 Pre-production and start-up costs                                 (.20)                              (.34)   
 Other                                                             (.16)                              (.33)   
                                                                -------                             ------                 
  Change from operations                                           (.70)                             (1.52)   
                                                                                                              
Other                                                                                                         
 Interest expense                                                   .02                                .05    
 Other income/charges                                               .04                                  -    
 Effective tax rate change                                            -                                .04    
 Lower average shares outstanding                                   .05                                .16    
 Rounding                                                             -                                .01    
                                                                -------                             ------                 
  Total change                                                  $  (.59)                            $(1.26)   
                                                                =======                             ======



The principal factor contributing to the 1996 earnings decline was lower
selling prices for the Company's core plastics, polyethylene terephthalate
(PET) and polyethylene.  Decreased earnings also resulted from pre-production
and start-up costs at new PET plants and higher labor costs.  There were
positive impacts on overall earnings per share from higher overall volumes,
lower variable-incentive compensation, lower shares outstanding, and lower
paraxylene and other raw material and energy costs.

                                      7


   8
SUMMARY BY INDUSTRY SEGMENT

PERFORMANCE SEGMENT




                           THIRD QUARTER             FIRST NINE MONTHS
 (Dollars in millions)    1996      1995  CHANGE      1996       1995   CHANGE
                                                      

 Sales                     $862     $972   (11)%     $2,763     $2,874   (4)%
 Operating earnings         113      179   (37)         404        518  (22)



The first nine months Performance segment sales and operating earnings
decreases were primarily attributable to lower PET selling prices and volumes,
partially offset by improved selling prices and higher volumes for the Fibers
business. The decreased PET volumes were principally a result of weak sales in
the soft European market.  Contributing to the lower operating earnings were
increased pre-production and start-up costs for new manufacturing facilities.
Other Performance segment businesses, specifically Specialty Plastics and
Performance Chemicals, generally had a positive effect on third quarter sales
and earnings. Looking forward, the capacity additions within the PET industry
worldwide over the next 1-2 years are expected to result in continued downward
pressure on PET selling prices.


INDUSTRIAL SEGMENT




                         THIRD QUARTER             FIRST NINE MONTHS
 (Dollars in millions)   1996     1995    CHANGE    1996       1995     CHANGE
                                                        

 Sales                     $305     $294    4%      $906       $945       (4)%
 Operating earnings          56       81  (31)       146        235      (38)


The third quarter increase in the Industrial segment sales was due to volume
increases, primarily related to capacity increases in acetaldehyde and
propionic acid.  Lower selling prices and higher feedstock costs contributed to
lower operating earnings in this segment.  For the first nine months, sales
decreased due to lower selling prices for polyethylene, partially offset by
increased volumes.  Decreased first nine months Industrial segment operating
earnings were primarily the result of higher feedstock costs and lower selling
prices for polyethylene.

(For supplemental analysis of Performance and Industrial segment business
organization results, see Exhibit 99.01 to this Form 10-Q.)

SUMMARY BY CUSTOMER LOCATION




SALES BY REGION
                                   THIRD QUARTER              FIRST NINE MONTHS
(Dollars in millions)              1996     1995   CHANGE      1996       1995    CHANGE
                                                                 
United States and Canada            $777     $834   (7)%      $2,448     $2,555    (4)%
Europe, Middle East, and Africa      171      212  (19)%         578        635    (9)%
Asia Pacific                         145      146   (1)%         417        428    (3)%
Latin America                         74       74    -           226        201    12 %


Sales in the United States for third quarter 1996 were $731 million compared
with 1995 third quarter sales of $780 million.  For the first nine months of
1996, sales in the United States were $2.294 billion compared with $2.384
billion in 1995.  Third quarter 1996 sales outside the United States were down
10% compared with 1995, primarily due to lower PET selling prices and volumes
in Europe, and were 37% of total sales for third quarter 1996, compared with
38% for third quarter 1995.


                                      8
   9


SUMMARY OF CONSOLIDATED RESULTS




                         THIRD QUARTER             FIRST NINE MONTHS
 (Dollars in millions)   1996     1995    CHANGE    1996       1995     CHANGE
                                                       
 SALES                   $1,167   $1,266   (8)%      $3,669     $3,819   (4)%


Sales in the third quarter 1996 decreased 11% because of lower selling prices,
offset 3%  because of volume gains.  For the first nine months, sales decreased
5% because of lower selling prices, offset 1% because of volume gains.





                            THIRD QUARTER             FIRST NINE MONTHS
(Dollars in millions)       1996     1995    CHANGE    1996       1995     CHANGE
                                                         

GROSS PROFIT                $ 294    $ 408    (28)%     $ 934     $1,152    (19)%
 As a percentage of sales    25.2%    32.2%              25.5%      30.2%


The 1996 gross profit decline was principally attributable to lower selling
prices and increased pre-production and start-up costs which were partially
offset by lower variable-incentive compensation, lower purchased raw material
costs, and increased volumes.



                            THIRD QUARTER             FIRST NINE MONTHS
(Dollars in millions)       1996     1995    CHANGE    1996       1995     CHANGE
                                                         

SELLING AND GENERAL
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES      $ 78     $102    (24)%      $247       $271     (9)%
 As a percentage of sales     6.7%     8.1%               6.7%       7.1%


The decrease in selling and general administrative expenses is attributable to
developmental costs incurred in 1995 for the installation of a global
integrated business information system that were not incurred in 1996.  The
Company invested significant resources in this new information system to better
position itself for continued worldwide growth.  Another factor resulting in
the decreased selling and general administrative expenses was decreased
variable-incentive compensation costs.



                              THIRD QUARTER               FIRST NINE MONTHS
(Dollars in millions)         1996     1995     CHANGE     1996       1995      CHANGE
                                                             

GROSS INTEREST EXPENSE       $    25  $    22            $      70  $      66
LESS CAPITALIZED INTEREST          9        3                   19          8
                             -------  -------            ---------  ---------
NET INTEREST EXPENSE         $    16  $    19  (16)%     $      51  $      58  (12)%
                             =======  =======            =========  =========



                               THIRD QUARTER               FIRST NINE MONTHS
(Dollars in millions)          1996     1995     CHANGE    1996       1995       CHANGE
                                                              
OTHER (INCOME) CHARGES, NET     $(3)     $2      -   %    $(12)      $(12)      -   %


Other income and other charges include interest income, royalty income, gains
and losses on asset sales, results from equity investments, foreign exchange
transactions, and other items.  Third quarter 1996 results include the
Company's proportionate share of a one-time gain recorded by an equity
investment.

                                      9


   10
LIQUIDITY, CAPITAL RESOURCES AND OTHER FINANCIAL DATA




 FINANCIAL INDICATORS                                          1996       1995
                                                                  

 For the first nine months
  Ratio of earnings to fixed charges                            7.0x      10.0x
 At the period ended September 30 and December 31
  Current ratio                                                 2.0x       1.7x
  Percent of long-term borrowings to total capital               48%        44%
  Percent of floating-rate borrowings to total borrowings        19%         2%


 CASH FLOW                                                     FIRST NINE MONTHS
 (Dollars in millions)                                          1996       1995
                                                                 
 Net cash provided by (used in)
  Operating activities                                     $     483   $    605
  Investing activities                                          (532)      (371)
  Financing activities                                            10       (258)
                                                           ---------  ---------
 Net change in cash and cash equivalents                   $     (39) $     (24)
                                                           =========  =========

 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                $      61  $      66
                                                           =========  =========



The increase in cash used in investing activities of  $161 million in the first
nine months of 1996 is consistent with the Company's global expansion
activities and primarily reflects capital expenditure increases.  The cash
provided by financing activities for the first nine months of 1996 reflects
higher levels of commercial paper borrowings, primarily to meet cash needs for
higher capital expenditures, share repurchases, and other cash flow needs.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

Eastman anticipates that total capital expenditures will be approximately $750
million in 1996 and $850 million in 1997, primarily due to previously announced
expansions in worldwide manufacturing capacity.  Depreciation expense is
expected to be approximately $321 million for 1996 and $331 million for 1997.
During 1996, the Company announced plans to construct an isophthalic acid (IPA)
plant in Kingsport, Tennessee; it is expected to be on-line by mid-1998.  The
Company announced a planned increase in polyethylene naphthalate (PEN)
homopolymer capacity expected on-line in early 1997.  In October, the Company
announced that it will not participate in the proposed project with three other
companies to build an olefins plant near Houston, Texas.  In addition to
expanding its Longview, Texas oxo aldehydes and derivatives plants, the Company
announced plans for construction of new plant facilities in Singapore to
produce oxo aldehydes and derivatives; production operations for Singapore are
expected to begin in 1998.  The Company announced plans to construct a
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plant and a purified terephthalic acid (PTA)
plant at their South Carolina location; production is expected in early 1999.
An additional PTA plant is planned to be built in Kingsport, Tennessee by late
1997.  In July, the Company announced plans to double production capacity for
general-purpose fine chemicals at the Peboc Division of Eastman Chemical (UK)
Ltd. in Llangefni, Wales.  The Company recently signed a letter of intent to
study the feasibility of forming a joint venture in the People's Republic of
China; consideration is being given to building two plants in Nanjing, China,
one to produce hydrocarbon tackifying resins and the other to manufacture
sorbates.

LIQUIDITY

Eastman has access to an $800 million revolving credit facility ("Credit
Facility") expiring in December 2000.  Amounts outstanding under the Credit
Facility are subject to interest at varying spreads above quoted market rates,
principally LIBOR.  The Credit Facility also requires a facility fee on the
total commitment that varies based on Eastman's credit rating.  The annual rate
for such fee was 0.075% as of September 30, 1996.  The Credit Agreement
contains a number of covenants and events of default, including the maintenance
of certain financial ratios.  Eastman was in compliance with all such covenants
for all periods.

                                      10


   11


Eastman utilizes commercial paper, generally with maturities of 90 days or
less, to meet its liquidity needs.  The Company's commercial paper, supported
by the Credit Facility, is classified as long-term borrowings because the
Company has the ability and intent to refinance such borrowings long-term.
During third quarter 1996, the average annual effective interest rate was 5.46%
for commercial paper borrowings; as of  September 30, 1996, the Company's
commercial paper outstanding balance was $279 million.

In 1995, the Company repurchased $200 million of Eastman common stock.  In
February 1996, the Company announced plans to repurchase up to $400 million of
additional Eastman common shares.  Repurchased shares may be used to meet
common stock requirements for benefit plans and other corporate purposes.
Repurchase of common shares is not expected to have an adverse impact on the
liquidity of the Company.  At September 30, 1996, the Company had acquired an
additional 2,408,400 shares at a cost of   $157 million, pursuant to its
current repurchase program.

Existing sources of capital, together with cash flows from operations, are
expected to be sufficient to meet the Company's foreseeable cash flow
requirements.  Eastman has on file with the Securities Exchange Commission a
shelf registration to issue up to an additional $300 million of debt
securities.




   DIVIDENDS                           THIRD QUARTER     FIRST NINE MONTHS
                                       1996     1995      1996       1995
                                                        

Cash dividends declared per share     $.44     $.42      $1.28      $1.22



OUTLOOK

Looking forward for the rest of 1996, the Company expects continued strong
demand for Fibers business products, improved PET volumes, but lower PET prices
than in third quarter 1996.  Based on current and projected selling prices and
raw material costs, overall downward pressure on fourth quarter margins is
expected.  It is now likely that earnings for the second half of 1996 will be
less than earnings in the first half of the year.

In 1997, the Company expects continued good demand for its products.  It also
expects to have the capability for 3-5% volume growth as the result of a new
PET plant in Spain, a full year's effect of the new PET plant in Mexico, and
incremental gains in capacity for fibers and various chemicals.  In relation to
PET, the Company expects no significant price improvement from current levels,
modest volume growth, and negative earnings comparisons overall for 1997.  For
the rest of its businesses, the Company expects overall stable margins and
operating costs.

The above stated expectations, other forward-looking statements in this report,
and other statements of the Company relating to matters such as planned
capacity increases and capital spending, expected depreciation, future volume
and price changes, demand, and margin and earnings expectations for individual
products, businesses, and segments as well as for the whole of the Company, are
based upon certain underlying assumptions.  These assumptions are in turn based
upon internal estimates and analyses of current market conditions and trends,
management plans and strategies, economic conditions, and other factors and are
subject to risks and uncertainties inherent in projecting future conditions and
results.  The forward-looking statements in this report are based upon the
following assumptions:  relatively stable business conditions in the United
States, improving business conditions in Europe, and continued growth in Latin
America and Asia Pacific, supporting continued good overall demand for the
Company's products; continued demand growth worldwide for PET; continued
capacity additions within the PET industry worldwide; availability of scheduled
Eastman capacity  increases; stable to slightly lower pricing for Eastman
products; overall stable to slightly lower purchase costs for key Eastman raw
materials; productivity gains offsetting wage inflation; and continued progress
on the current share repurchase program.  Actual results could differ
materially from current expectations if one or more of these assumptions prove
to be inaccurate or are unrealized.

                                      11


   12


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

        LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

        The Company began operating as an independent publicly held company on
        January 1, 1994 as a result of its spin-off (the "Spin-Off") from
        Eastman Kodak Company ("Kodak").  Prior to the Spin-Off, the Company
        operated as a wholly-owned business of Kodak.  Since the Spin-Off, the
        Company has owned and operated substantially all of the worldwide
        chemical business it previously conducted as a part of Kodak.  Prior to
        the Spin-Off, Kodak agreed to participate in the Environmental
        Protection Agency's ("EPA") Toxic Substances Control Act ("TSCA")
        Section 8(e) Compliance Audit Program ("CAP").  As a participant, Kodak
        agreed to audit its files, including those of its chemical business,
        for materials which under then-current EPA guidelines would be subject
        to notification under Section 8(e) of TSCA and to pay stipulated
        penalties for each report submitted under the CAP.  After the Spin-Off,
        the Company was added as a joint participant in Kodak's CAP.  Under the
        terms of the EPA's Consent Order dated October 3, 1996 and the Consent
        Agreement among the EPA, Kodak, and the Company, Kodak and the Company
        were assessed a civil penalty of $1,000,000.  Kodak and the Company
        have agreed that Kodak will pay the entire civil penalty to the EPA and
        that the Company will pay $250,000 to Kodak as reimbursement for the
        Company's agreed upon portion of the CAP penalty.

        The Company's operations are parties to or targets of lawsuits, claims,
        investigations, and proceedings, including product liability, patent,
        commercial, environmental, and health and safety matters, which are
        being handled and defended in the ordinary course of business.  No such
        pending matters, including the EPA CAP proceeding described in the
        preceding paragraph, are expected to have a material adverse effect on
        the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations.


ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

        (a)  Exhibits filed as part of this report are listed in the Exhibit
             Index appearing on page 14.

        (b)  Reports on Form 8-K

             The Company did not file any reports on Form 8-K during the quarter
             ended September 30, 1996.

                                      12

   13


                                  SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                        Eastman Chemical Company

              

Date:   November 4, 1996                By: /s/ H. Virgil Stephens
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            H. Virgil Stephens                  
                                            Senior Vice President and           
                                            Chief Financial Officer             
                                            (On behalf of the Registrant and as 
                                            Principal Financial Officer)        


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                           EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT                     DESCRIPTION                     SEQUENTIAL
NUMBER                                                         PAGE
                                                              NUMBER
                                                              
3.01    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation         
        of Eastman Chemical Company (incorporated herein by       
        reference to Exhibit 3.01 to Eastman Chemical             
        Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File        
        No. 33-72364, as amended)                                 
                                                                  
3.02    Amended and Restated By-laws of Eastman Chemical          
        Company, as amended October 1, 1994 (incorporated by      
        reference to Exhibit 3.02 to Eastman Chemical             
        Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year         
        ended December 31, 1994)                                  
                                                                  
4.01    Form of Eastman Chemical Company Common Stock             
        certificate (incorporated herein by reference to          
        Exhibit 3.02 to Eastman Chemical Company's Annual         
        Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,       
        1993)                                                     
                                                                  
4.02    Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement dated as of       
        December 13, 1993, between Eastman Chemical Company       
        and First Chicago Trust Company of New York, as           
        Rights Agent (incorporated herein by reference to         
        Exhibit 4.4 to Eastman Chemical Company's                 
        Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to the        
        Eastman Investment Plan, File No. 33-73810)               
                                                                  
4.03    Indenture, dated as of January 10, 1994, between          
        Eastman Chemical Company and The Bank of New York,        
        as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to           
        Exhibit 4(a) to Eastman Chemical Company's current        
        report on Form 8-K dated January 10, 1994 (the            
        "8-K"))                                                   
                                                                  
4.04    Form of 6 3/8% Notes due January 15, 2004                 
        (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(c) to      
        the 8-K)                                                  
                                                                  
4.05    Form of 7 1/4% Debentures due January 15, 2024            
        (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(d) to      
        the 8-K)                                                  
                                                                  
4.06    Officers' Certificate pursuant to Sections 201 and        
        301 of the Indenture (incorporated herein by              
        reference to Exhibit 4(a) to Eastman Chemical             
        Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 8,        
        1994 (the "June 8-K"))                                    
                                                                  
4.07    Form of 7 5/8% Debentures due June 15, 2024               
        (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(b) to      
        the June 8-K)                                             
                                                                  
4.08    Credit Agreement, dated as of December 19, 1995           
        (the "Credit Agreement") among Eastman Chemical           
        Company, the Lenders named therein, and The Chase         
        Manhattan Bank, as Agent (incorporated herein by          
        reference to Exhibit 4.08 to Eastman Chemical             
        Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year         
        ended December 31, 1995)                                  


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                               EXHIBIT INDEX
  EXHIBIT                       DESCRIPTION                        SEQUENTIAL
  NUMBER                                                              PAGE
                                                                     NUMBER
                                                             

  *10.01   Third Amended and Restated Eastman Directors' Deferred     16
           Compensation Plan.

  *10.02   Amended and Restated Eastman Chemical Company 1996         23
           Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan

  *10.03   Amended and Restated Eastman Executive Deferred            29
           Compensation Plan

  *10.04   1994-1996 Long-Term Performance Subplan of the Eastman     39
           Chemical Company 1994 Omnibus Long-Term Compensation Plan 
           (as amended)

  *10.05   1995-1997 Long-Term Performance Subplan of the Eastman     45
           Chemical Company 1994 Omnibus Long-Term Compensation Plan 
           (as amended)

  *10.06   1996-1998 Long-Term Performance Subplan of the Eastman     51
           Chemical Company 1994 Omnibus Long-Term Compensation 
           Plan (as amended)

  11.01    Statement re Computation of Earnings Per Common Share      57

  12.01    Statement re Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed    58
           Charges

  27.01    Financial Data Schedule (for SEC use only)

  99.01    Supplemental Business Organization Information             59


__________________________

* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement filed pursuant to
  Item 601(b)(10)(iii) of Regulation S-K.


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