<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND>             THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ASHLAND INC.'S ANNUAL
                     REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
                     ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH ANNUAL REPORT.
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000,000

<S>                                                                          <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                                YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                            SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                                                 SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                                                               110
<SECURITIES>                                                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                                      1,242
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                          23
<INVENTORY>                                                                          464
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                                   2,059
<PP&E>                                                                             2,649
<DEPRECIATION>                                                                     1,357
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                                     6,424
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                              1,396
<BONDS>                                                                            1,627
<COMMON>                                                                              72
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                                                            0
<OTHER-SE>                                                                         2,128
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                                       6,424
<SALES>                                                                            6,801
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                                   7,251
<CGS>                                                                              5,574
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                                      5,574
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                                      12
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                                   140
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                                      482
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                         192
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                                  290
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                        0
<CHANGES>                                                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                                                         290
<EPS-BASIC>                                                                         3.94
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                       3.89


</TABLE>