<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE THIRD
QUARTER 2000 10-Q OF INTERNATIONAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> OCT-01-2000
<CASH> 15,419
<SECURITIES> 500,993
<RECEIVABLES> 94,415
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 148,757
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 876,061
<PP&E> 568,581
<DEPRECIATION> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,976,632
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 574,348
<BONDS> 524,908
0
0
<COMMON> 695
<OTHER-SE> 680,965
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,976,632
<SALES> 594,084
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 594,084
<CGS> 386,080
<TOTAL-COSTS> 386,080
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 62,725
<INCOME-PRETAX> 68,515
<INCOME-TAX> 24,020
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 44,495
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 44,495
<EPS-BASIC> .65
<EPS-DILUTED> .65
</TABLE>