<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                          48,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  697,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                    23,000
<INVENTORY>                                    309,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,177,000
<PP&E>                                       2,541,000
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,424,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,430,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,462,000
<BONDS>                                      1,470,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          992,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        83,000
<OTHER-SE>                                     780,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,430,000
<SALES>                                      2,435,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,435,000
<CGS>                                        1,375,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,026,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                69,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             116,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                210,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                    83,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            127,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   127,000
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.18