<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
STONE CONTAINER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES' DECEMBER 31, 1997 CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS AND RETAINED EARNINGS (ACCUMULATED 
DEFICIT) AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                             113
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      681
<ALLOWANCES>                                        28
<INVENTORY>                                        716
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,596
<PP&E>                                           4,857
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,480
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   5,824
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            1,089
<BONDS>                                          3,936
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        115
<COMMON>                                           966
<OTHER-SE>                                       (804)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     5,824
<SALES>                                          4,849
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 4,849
<CGS>                                            4,070
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    4,938
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    59
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 457
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (605)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (200)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (405)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   (13)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (418)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (4.29)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (4.29)