<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>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   6-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-29-1997             JUN-29-1997             MAR-30-1997
<CASH>                                              20                      16                      15
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      512                     595                     422
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                        386                     452                     501
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,002                   1,153                   1,024
<PP&E>                                           5,368                   5,269                   5,165
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,175                   2,129                   2,083
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   5,136                   5,215                   4,992
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              768                     882                     743
<BONDS>                                          1,274                   1,274                   1,249
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                           156                     156                     156
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,148                   2,124                   2,090
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     5,136                   5,215                   4,992
<SALES>                                          2,862                   1,831                     830
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 2,862                   1,831                     830
<CGS>                                            2,309                   1,479                     672
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2,309                   1,479                     672
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  74                      48                      23
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    189                     110                      39
<INCOME-TAX>                                        69                      40                      14
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                129                      74                      25
<DISCONTINUED>                                     (11)                     (6)                     (4)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                       118                      68                      20
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.13                     .65                     .19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.11                     .64                     .19
        

</TABLE>