<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              9-MOS                   6-MOS                   3-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             SEP-29-1996             JUN-30-1996             MAR-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                            21                     122                      22                     138                     293
<SECURITIES>                       0                       0                       0                       0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                    422                     469                     544                     364                     416
<ALLOWANCES>                       0                       0                       0                       0                       0
<INVENTORY>                      436                     340                     403                     459                     349
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                 959                   1,023                   1,059                   1,051                   1,135
<PP&E>                         5,126                   4,462                   4,384                   4,305                   4,247
<DEPRECIATION>                 2,041                   2,019                   1,992                   1,957                   1,918
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                 4,906                   4,325                   4,303                   4,257                   4,284
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>            679                     609                     663                     647                     734
<BONDS>                        1,240                     721                     727                     726                     695
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>              0                       0                       0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED>                        0                       0                       0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                         156                     156                     156                     157                     158
<OTHER-SE>                     2,091                   2,085                   2,035                   2,013                   2,002
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>   4,906                   4,325                   4,303                   4,257                   4,284
<SALES>                        3,304                   2,496                   1,620                     712                   3,403
<TOTAL-REVENUES>               3,304                   2,496                   1,620                     712                   3,403
<CGS>                          2,578                   1,931                   1,248                     551                   2,522
<TOTAL-COSTS>                  2,578                   1,931                   1,248                     551                   2,522
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                   0                       0                       0                       0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                   0                       0                       0                       0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                58                      40                      27                      15                      69
<INCOME-PRETAX>                  284                     245                     162                      59                     473
<INCOME-TAX>                     105                      89                      59                      22                     178
<INCOME-CONTINUING>              184                     156                      95                      30                     334
<DISCONTINUED>                    12                      10                       9                       6                      16
<EXTRAORDINARY>                    0                       0                       0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                          0                       0                       0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                     195                     166                     103                      36                     350
<EPS-PRIMARY>                   1.86                    1.58                     .98                     .34                    3.22
<EPS-DILUTED>                   1.84                    1.56                     .97                     .34                    3.17
        

</TABLE>