EXHIBIT 99.1

                                                               Dennis G. Newkirk
                                                               (713) 423-3332


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



                        NL REPORTS THIRD QUARTER RESULTS


HOUSTON,  TEXAS -- October 23, 1996 -- NL Industries,  Inc. (NYSE:NL) reported a
net loss for the third  quarter of 1996 of $4.2 million,  or $.08 per share,  on
sales of $248  million  compared  to net income in the third  quarter of 1995 of
$17.4 million,  or $.34 per share,  on sales of $255 million.  Net income in the
first nine months of 1996 was $21.1 million, or $.41 per share, on sales of $752
million,  compared  to net  income  in the  first  nine  months of 1995 of $51.5
million,  or $1.00 per share,  on sales of $790  million.  NL's earnings for the
third quarter of 1996 decreased due to the decline in TiO2 selling prices.

Operating income of Kronos' titanium dioxide pigments  ("Ti02")  business in the
third  quarter  of 1996 was $9.7  million,  $31.1  million  less  than the third
quarter of 1995, on a 3% decrease in net sales.  Average TiO2 selling prices for
the third  quarter of 1996 were 15% lower than the third  quarter of 1995 and 6%
lower than the second  quarter of 1996.  Selling  prices at the end of the third
quarter  of 1996 were 15% lower  than  prices  at the end of 1995.  The  Company
expects average TiO2 prices in the fourth quarter to be somewhat below the third
quarter  average.  While prices have declined,  demand for TiO2 has continued to
grow.  Kronos' third quarter sales volumes increased 17% compared with the third
quarter of 1995 with improved sales volumes worldwide.

Rheox's  operating income of $9.8 million for the third quarter of 1996 was even
with the year-earlier period.  Rheox's operating income in the first nine months
of 1996 includes a  first-quarter  $2.7 million gain related to the reduction of
certain U.S. employee pension benefits.

Income tax  expense  for the third  quarter  of 1996  differs  from a  normally-
expected  effective tax rate because of losses in certain countries for which no
tax benefit is currently available.

Based on the continuing  decline in TiO2 selling prices during the third quarter
and the current TiO2 industry pricing  outlook,  the Company expects to report a
loss for the fourth quarter of 1996 and the Board of Directors has suspended the
regular quarterly dividend.

NL  Industries,  Inc. is a major  international  producer  of  titanium  dioxide
pigments and specialty chemicals.

The statements in this release relating to matters that are not historical facts
are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties,  including,
but not limited to, future global  economic  conditions,  global TiO2 productive
capacity,  competitive  products  and prices and other  risks and  uncertainties
detailed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.


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                               NL INDUSTRIES, INC.
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                      (In millions, except per share data)
                                   (Unaudited)

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<CAPTION>


                                        Quarters ended        Nine months ended
                                         September 30,          September 30,
                                       ------------------    ------------------
                                        1995       1996        1995       1996
                                       -------    -------    -------    -------
<S>                                    <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>    
Net sales
  Kronos ...........................   $ 222.8    $ 215.1    $ 689.5    $ 649.7
  Rheox ............................      32.5       33.4      100.2      102.4
                                       -------    -------    -------    -------

                                       $ 255.3    $ 248.5    $ 789.7    $ 752.1
                                       =======    =======    =======    =======

Operating income
  Kronos ...........................   $  40.8    $   9.7    $ 120.4    $  64.6
  Rheox ............................       9.8        9.8       29.7       32.9
                                       -------    -------    -------    -------

    Operating income ...............      50.6       19.5      150.1       97.5

General corporate income (expense):
  Securities earnings ..............       1.5        1.2        5.9        3.6
  Expenses, net ....................      (7.1)      (5.7)     (19.9)     (12.4)
  Interest expense .................     (20.3)     (18.5)     (62.0)     (56.1)
                                       -------    -------    -------    -------

    Income before income taxes .....      24.7       (3.5)      74.1       32.6

Income tax expense .................      (7.4)       (.7)     (22.3)     (11.5)

Minority interest ..................        .1       --          (.3)      --
                                       -------    -------    -------    -------

    Net income .....................   $  17.4    $  (4.2)   $  51.5    $  21.1
                                       =======    =======    =======    =======

Per share of common stock ..........   $   .34    $  (.08)   $  1.00    $   .41
                                       =======    =======    =======    =======

Weighted average common shares
 outstanding .......................      51.6       51.3       51.5       51.4
                                       =======    =======    =======    =======



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