<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                              43
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      843 <F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        519
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,559
<PP&E>                                           8,210
<DEPRECIATION>                                   4,282
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   5,910
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              825
<BONDS>                                          1,860
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,832
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     5,910
<SALES>                                          1,148
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,148
<CGS>                                              894
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      894
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   121
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  21
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    114
<INCOME-TAX>                                        40
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 74
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        74
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .95 <F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .94
<FN>
<F1>  Asset values represent net amounts
<F2> (EPS-PRIMARY) DENOTES BASIC EPS
</FN>