<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM HERCULES
INCORPORATED'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                          65,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  733,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                    13,000
<INVENTORY>                                    372,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,301,000
<PP&E>                                       2,970,000
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,667,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,773,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,416,000
<BONDS>                                      1,882,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          992,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        83,000
<OTHER-SE>                                     726,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,773,000
<SALES>                                      1,620,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,620,000
<CGS>                                          912,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,418,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                46,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              74,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 81,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                    29,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             52,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    52,000
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.49
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.49