<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS OF THE GEON COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES AS OF DECEMBER
31, 1998 AND DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE YEARS THEN ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
<CURRENCY> USD
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                              14
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                       74
<ALLOWANCES>                                         4
<INVENTORY>                                        114
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   235
<PP&E>                                           1,205
<DEPRECIATION>                                     762
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     802
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              257
<BONDS>                                            135
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             3
<OTHER-SE>                                         211
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       802
<SALES>                                          1,284
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,284
<CGS>                                            1,093
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,247
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   (1)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  15
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     24
<INCOME-TAX>                                        10
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 14
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        14
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .60
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .58