<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM VALHI,
INC.'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.

<CIK>                         0000059255
<NAME>                        Valhi, Inc.
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                         183,278
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  263,588
<ALLOWANCES>                                   6,471
<INVENTORY>                                    190,055
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               671,082
<PP&E>                                         737,441
<DEPRECIATION>                                 199,720
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 2,212,203
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          326,528
<BONDS>                                        629,197
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       1,257
<OTHER-SE>                                     610,885
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   2,212,203
<SALES>                                        621,672
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               621,672
<CGS>                                          431,040
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  431,040
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               560
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             35,021
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                124,037
<INCOME-TAX>                                   55,064
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            45,455
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   45,455
<EPS-BASIC>                                    .39
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  .39