<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Georgia Gulf
Corporation's form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1997 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000805264
<NAME> GEORGIA GULF CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           3,237
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   73,273
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,400
<INVENTORY>                                     82,911
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               168,745
<PP&E>                                         639,751
<DEPRECIATION>                                 230,050
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 603,250
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          138,660
<BONDS>                                        373,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           331
<OTHER-SE>                                      28,435
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   603,250
<SALES>                                        733,348
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               733,348
<CGS>                                          592,165
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  592,165
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              18,313
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 97,162<F1>
<INCOME-TAX>                                    36,797
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             60,365
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    60,365
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.76
<FN>
<F1>Includes gain on sale of assets of $8,600.
</FN>