<TABLE> <S> <C>
<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.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<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
992,000
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
</TABLE>