<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ANNUAL
REPORT ON FORM 10-K OF THE MEAD CORPORATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THIS SCHEDULE SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO BE FILED FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 11 OF THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, SECTION 18 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 AND
SECTION 323 OF THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939, OR OTHERWISE SUBJECT TO THE
LIABILITIES OF SUCH SECTIONS, NOR SHALL IT BE DEEMED A PART OF ANY REGISTRATION
STATEMENT TO WHICH IT RELATES.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
       
<S>                        <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>              YEAR          3-MOS         6-MOS         9-MOS        YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>          DEC-31-1996   DEC-31-1996   DEC-31-1996   DEC-31-1996  DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>               DEC-31-1996   MAR-31-1996   JUN-30-1996   SEP-29-1996  DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                              21           138            22           122          293
<SECURITIES>                         0             0             0             0            0
<RECEIVABLES>                      606           516           691           640          613
<ALLOWANCES>                        28             0             0             0           27
<INVENTORY>                        509           524           479           412          411
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                 1,189         1,271         1,283         1,266        1,367
<PP&E>                           5,199         4,378         4,457         4,536        4,319
<DEPRECIATION>                   2,078         1,994         2,029         2,057        1,955
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                   4,986         4,333         4,383         4,405        4,373
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>            1,240           722           743           688          822
<BONDS>                          1,240           726           727           721          695
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                0             0             0             0            0
<PREFERRED>                          0             0             0             0            0
<COMMON>                           156           157           156           156          158
<OTHER-SE>                       2,091         2,013         2,035         2,085        2,002
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>     4,986         4,333         4,383         4,405        4,373
<SALES>                              0             0             0             0            0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                 4,707         1,067         2,326         3,557        5,179
<CGS>                                0             0             0             0            0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                    4,368           863         1,864         2,859        4,656
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                     0             0             0             0            0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                     0             0             0             0            0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                  58            15            27            40           69
<INCOME-PRETAX>                    295            61           168           253           488
<INCOME-TAX>                       109            23            62            93           184
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                186            31           106           161           304
<DISCONTINUED>                       5             5             0             5             8
<EXTRAORDINARY>                      0             0             0             0             0
<CHANGES>                            0             0             0             0             0
<NET-INCOME>                       195            36           103           166           350
<EPS-PRIMARY>                     1.86           .34           .98          1.58          3.22
<EPS-DILUTED>                     1.84           .34           .97          1.56          3.17
        

</TABLE>