Dennis G. Newkirk
                                                          (281) 423-3332


                                                               EXHIBIT 99.1





FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


                        NL REPORTS THIRD QUARTER EARNINGS


HOUSTON, TEXAS -- October 17, 1997 -- NL Industries, Inc. (NYSE:NL) reported net
income  for the  third  quarter  of 1997 of $9.8  million,  or $.19  per  share,
compared to a net loss in the third quarter of 1996 of $4.2 million, or $.08 per
share. NL reported a net loss in the first nine months of 1997 of $23.6 million,
or $.46 per share,  compared  to net income in the first nine  months of 1996 of
$21.1 million,  or $.41 per share. The 1997 results include a first-quarter  $30
million  noncash  charge,  or $.59 per share,  related to NL's  adoption  of the
AICPA's Statement of Position No. 96-1, "Environmental Remediation Liabilities."


Operating income of Kronos' titanium dioxide pigments  ("TiO2")  business in the
third  quarter  of 1997 was $24.9  million,  $15.2  million  more than the third
quarter of 1996,  including  income of $9.7  million  resulting  from refunds of
German franchise taxes from prior years. Kronos' average TiO2 selling prices for
the third  quarter of 1997 were 1% higher than the third  quarter of 1996 and 3%
higher than the second  quarter of 1997.  Selling prices at the end of the third
quarter of 1997 were 2% higher than the average for the quarter. Kronos achieved
record third  quarter  sales volumes  reflecting  continued  strong TiO2 demand,
particularly  in Europe.  Kronos'  third  quarter and nine month  sales  volumes
increased 7% and 12%,  respectively,  from the year-earlier periods. The Company
expects  further  increases in its TiO2 selling prices during the fourth quarter
of 1997.

Rheox's  operating income of $12.3 million in the third quarter of 1997 was $2.5
million higher than the  year-earlier  period due to higher sales and production
volumes.

Corporate  expenses,  net  in  the  first  nine  months  of  1997  includes  the
firstquarter $30 million noncash charge mentioned above.

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 and political conditions, global TiO2
production  capacity and the amount and timing of capacity changes,  competitive
products and prices, and other risks and uncertainties detailed in the Company's
Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  filings.   Actual  results  could  differ
materially from those forecasted or expected.


<PAGE>


                               NL INDUSTRIES, INC.
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

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


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                             Quarters ended    Nine months ended
                                              September 30,      September 30,
                                             1996     1997     1996     1997
<S>                                          <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Net sales
  Kronos                                     $215.1   $210.4   $649.7   $629.2
  Rheox                                        33.4     37.8    102.4    111.3
                                             ------   ------   ------   ------

                                             $248.5   $248.2   $752.1   $740.5
                                             ======   ======   ======   ======

Operating income
  Kronos                                     $  9.7   $ 24.9   $ 64.6   $ 50.4
  Rheox                                         9.8     12.3     32.9     34.6
                                             ------   ------   ------   ------

    Operating income                           19.5     37.2     97.5     85.0

General corporate income (expense):
  Expenses, net                               (4.5)    (5.2)    (8.8)   (43.0)
  Interest expense                           (18.5)   (19.5)   (56.1)   (57.9)
                                             ------   ------   ------   ------ 

    Income (loss) before income taxes         (3.5)     12.5     32.6   (15.9)

Income tax expense                             (.7)    (2.7)   (11.5)    (7.7)
                                             ------   ------   ------   ------ 

    Net income (loss)                       $ (4.2)   $  9.8   $ 21.1  $(23.6)
                                             ======    ======   ======  ====== 

Per share of common stock                   $ (.08)   $  .19   $  .41  $ (.46)
                                             ======    ======   ======  ====== 

Weighted average common shares
 outstanding                                   51.1     51.6     51.4     51.1
                                             ======   ======   ======   ======

</TABLE>