<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                              24
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      744<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        465
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,345
<PP&E>                                           7,530
<DEPRECIATION>                                   4,010
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   5,266
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              787
<BONDS>                                          1,523
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,638
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     5,266
<SALES>                                          4,782
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 4,782
<CGS>                                            3,603
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    3,603
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   516
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  67
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    607
<INCOME-TAX>                                       227
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                380
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       380
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     4.80
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     4.80
<FN>
<F1>ASSET VALUES REPRESENT NET AMOUNTS
</FN>