<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000035214
<NAME> FERRO CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          22,202
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  257,522
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    130,665
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               451,781
<PP&E>                                         607,759
<DEPRECIATION>                                 363,625
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 820,480
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          272,450
<BONDS>                                        103,386
<COMMON>                                        31,549
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     255,841
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   820,480
<SALES>                                        705,242
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               705,242
<CGS>                                          525,934
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  644,004
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               159,418
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,070
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (98,180)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (29,428)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (68,752)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (68,752)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (2.72)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (2.72)