<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF AUGUST 31, 1996 AND 1995 AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR EACH OF THE THREE YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STAEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000087565
<NAME> A. SCHULMAN, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1996
<CASH>                                         113,555
<SECURITIES>                                    36,925
<RECEIVABLES>                                  152,342
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,903
<INVENTORY>                                    150,363
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               466,803
<PP&E>                                         295,824
<DEPRECIATION>                                 156,788
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 623,378
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          105,957
<BONDS>                                         40,054
<COMMON>                                        38,309
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      1,071
<OTHER-SE>                                     393,730
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   623,378
<SALES>                                        976,694
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               982,769
<CGS>                                          826,076
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  911,797
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,192
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 70,972
<INCOME-TAX>                                    28,795
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             42,177
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    42,177
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.12