<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,
1998 AND DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE THREE MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND 1997 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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                              35
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                       97
<ALLOWANCES>                                         2
<INVENTORY>                                        128
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   286
<PP&E>                                           1,183
<DEPRECIATION>                                     733
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     847
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              281
<BONDS>                                            136
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             3
<OTHER-SE>                                         225
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       847
<SALES>                                            325
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   325
<CGS>                                              283
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      301
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   (4)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   4
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     10
<INCOME-TAX>                                         4
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  6
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                         6
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .25