<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS OF THE GEON COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES AS OF MARCH 31,
1997 AND DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR
THE THREE MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                              16
<SECURITIES>                                         5
<RECEIVABLES>                                       91
<ALLOWANCES>                                         3
<INVENTORY>                                        114
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   263
<PP&E>                                            1187
<DEPRECIATION>                                     735
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     772
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              238
<BONDS>                                            137
<COMMON>                                             3
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                         218
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       772
<SALES>                                            301
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   301
<CGS>                                              282
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      293
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     1
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   3
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      4
<INCOME-TAX>                                         1
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  3
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                         3
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .10