ASHLAND INC
10-Q, 1999-05-13
PETROLEUM REFINING
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==============================================================================



                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D.C. 20549



                                 FORM 10-Q



          Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                      Securities Exchange Act of 1934




               FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1999



                       Commission file number 1-2918



                                ASHLAND INC.
                          (a Kentucky corporation)



                           I.R.S. No. 61-0122250
                        50 E. RiverCenter Boulevard
                               P. O. Box 391
                       Covington, Kentucky 41012-0391



                      Telephone Number: (606) 815-3333



     Indicate  by check  mark  whether  the  Registrant  (1) has  filed all
reports  required  to be filed  by  Section  13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
Exchange  Act of 1934 during the  preceding  12 months (or for such shorter
period that the Registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has
been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X]  No

     At April 30, 1999, there were 73,170,271 shares of Registrant's Common
Stock  outstanding.  One  Right to  purchase  one-thousandth  of a share of
Series  A  Participating   Cumulative   Preferred  Stock  accompanies  each
outstanding share of Registrant's Common Stock.


==============================================================================



<PAGE>

                       PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 ASHLAND INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               Three months ended              Six months ended
                                                                                    March 31                       March 31
                                                                            --------------------------      ----------------------
 (In millions except per share data)                                           1999           1998             1999          1998
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                      <C>            <C>              <C>           <C>       
 REVENUES
     Sales and operating revenues                                        $   1,503      $   1,473        $   3,149     $    3,071
     Equity income                                                             139             57              100            106
     Other income                                                               13             19               39             46
                                                                         ----------     ----------       -----------   -----------
                                                                             1,655          1,549            3,288          3,223

 COSTS AND EXPENSES
     Cost of sales and operating expenses                                    1,176          1,201            2,476          2,509
     Selling, general and administrative expenses                              251            224              518            435
     Depreciation, depletion and amortization                                   52             44              103             85
                                                                         ----------     ----------       -----------   -----------
                                                                             1,479          1,469            3,097          3,029
                                                                         ----------     ----------       -----------   -----------

 OPERATING INCOME                                                              176             80              191            194

     Interest expense (net of interest income)                                 (34)           (36)             (67)           (62)
                                                                         ----------     ----------       -----------   -----------

 INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                                                    142             44              124            132

     Income taxes                                                              (55)           (16)             (48)           (51)
                                                                         ----------     ----------       -----------   -----------

 NET INCOME                                                              $      87      $      28       $       76     $       81
                                                                         ===========    ==========      ============   ===========

 EARNINGS PER SHARE - Note A
     Basic                                                               $     1.17     $      .37      $     1.02     $     1.07
     Diluted                                                             $     1.16     $      .37      $     1.01     $     1.05

 DIVIDENDS PAID PER COMMON SHARE                                         $     .275     $     .275      $      .55     $      .55



</TABLE>




SEE NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.


                                     2

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASHLAND INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            March 31         September 30             March 31
(In millions)                                                                   1999                 1998                 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            ASSETS
                            ------
<S>                                                                        <C>                  <C>                  <C>      
CURRENT ASSETS
    Cash and cash equivalents                                              $      90            $      34            $      18
    Accounts receivable                                                        1,072                1,129                1,004
    Allowance for doubtful accounts                                              (22)                 (19)                 (20)
    Inventories - Note A                                                         480                  440                  465
    Deferred income taxes                                                        120                  104                   97
    Other current assets                                                         195                  140                  100
                                                                           ----------           ----------           ----------
                                                                               1,935                1,828                1,664
INVESTMENTS AND OTHER ASSETS
    Investment in Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC (MAP)                         2,095                2,102                2,074
    Investment in Arch Coal                                                      422                  422                  420
    Cost in excess of net assets of companies acquired                           224                  207                  184
    Other noncurrent assets                                                      340                  362                  406
                                                                           ----------           ----------           ----------
                                                                               3,081                3,093                3,084
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
    Cost                                                                       2,544                2,413                2,250
    Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization                      (1,322)              (1,252)              (1,186)
                                                                           ----------           ----------           ----------
                                                                               1,222                1,161                1,064
                                                                           ----------           ----------           ----------

                                                                           $   6,238            $   6,082            $   5,812
                                                                           ==========           ==========           ==========
             LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
             ------------------------------------

CURRENT LIABILITIES
    Debt due within one year                                               $     441            $     125            $     265
    Trade and other payables                                                   1,115                1,199                  971
    Income taxes                                                                  32                   37                   45
                                                                           ----------           ----------           ----------
                                                                               1,588                1,361                1,281
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
    Long-term debt (less current portion)                                      1,481                1,507                1,536
    Employee benefit obligations                                                 426                  458                  424
    Reserves of captive insurance companies                                      181                  165                  176
    Other long-term liabilities and deferred credits                             481                  454                  328
    Commitments and contingencies - Note E                                                                        
                                                                           ----------           ----------           ----------
                                                                               2,569                2,584                2,464

COMMON STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                    2,081                2,137                2,067
                                                                           ----------           ----------           ----------

                                                                           $   6,238            $   6,082            $   5,812
                                                                           ==========           ==========           ==========

</TABLE>

SEE NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.


                                     3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 ASHLAND INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMMON STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          Accumulated
                                                                                                                other
                                                          Common        Paid-in       Retained          comprehensive
(In millions)                                              stock        capital       earnings                 income         Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                     <C>            <C>           <C>             <C>                    <C>
BALANCE AT OCTOBER 1, 1997                              $     75       $    605      $   1,379       $           (35)       $ 2,024
   Total comprehensive income (1)                                                           81                    (9)            72
   Common stock cash dividends                                                             (42)                                 (42)
   Issued common stock under
     Stock incentive plans                                                   10                                                  10
     Acquisitions of other companies                           1              1              3                                    5
   Other changes                                                             (2)                                                 (2)
                                                        ---------      ---------     ----------      ----------------       --------
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 1998                               $     76       $    614      $   1,421       $           (44)       $ 2,067
                                                        =========      =========     ==========      ================       ========


BALANCE AT OCTOBER 1, 1998                              $     76       $    602      $   1,501       $           (42)       $ 2,137
   Total comprehensive income (1)                                                           76                   (12)            64
   Common stock cash dividends                                                             (41)                                 (41)
   Issued common stock under
     Stock incentive plans                                                    5                                                   5
     Acquisitions of other companies                           1             43                                                  44
   Repurchase of common stock                                 (3)          (126)                                               (129)
   Other changes                                                              1                                                   1
                                                        ---------      ---------     ----------      ----------------       --------
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 1999                               $     74       $    525      $   1,536       $           (54)       $ 2,081
                                                        =========      =========     ==========      ================       ========

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (1) Reconciliations of net income to total comprehensive income follow.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                          Three months ended              Six months ended
                                                                               March 31                       March 31
                                                                       ---------------------------    ---------------------------
          (In millions)                                                      1999           1998            1999           1998
          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                                    <C>             <C>            <C>             <C>      
          Net income                                                   $       87      $      28      $       76      $      81
          Unrealized translation adjustments                                  (13)            (4)            (11)            (9)
            Related tax benefit                                                 3              -               3              -
          Unrealized gains (losses) on securities                              (2)             -              (3)             3
            Related tax benefit (expense)                                       1              -               1             (1)
          Gains on securities included in net income                           (1)             -              (3)            (3)
            Related tax expense                                                 -              -               1              1
                                                                       -----------     -----------    -----------     -----------
          Total comprehensive income                                   $       75      $      24      $       64      $      72
                                                                       ===========     ===========    ===========     ===========

          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          At March 31, 1999, accumulated other comprehensive income was a loss
          of $54 million comprised of net unrealized translation losses of $36
          million and a minimum pension liability of $18 million.

</TABLE>

SEE NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.


                                     4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASHLAND INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                           Six months ended
                                                                                                               March 31
                                                                                                    --------------------------------
(In millions)                                                                                           1999                 1998
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                                                                 <C>                  <C>     
CASH FLOWS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
    Net income                                                                                      $     76             $     81
    Expense (income) not affecting cash
      Depreciation, depletion and amortization                                                           103                   85
      Deferred income taxes                                                                               48                   15
      Equity income from affiliates                                                                     (100)                (106)
      Distributions from equity affiliates                                                               109                   46
      Other items                                                                                          -                   (7)
    Change in operating assets and liabilities (1)                                                      (185)                (180)
                                                                                                    -----------          -----------
                                                                                                          51                  (66)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING
    Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                                                               -                  150
    Proceeds from issuance of capital stock                                                                3                    8
    Repayment of long-term debt                                                                          (26)                 (31)
    Repurchase of capital stock                                                                         (129)                   -
    Increase in short-term debt                                                                          300                  219
    Dividends paid                                                                                       (41)                 (42)
                                                                                                    -----------          -----------
                                                                                                         107                  304

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTMENT
    Additions to property, plant and equipment                                                          (102)                (109)
    Purchase of leased assets associated with the formation of MAP                                         -                 (254)
    Purchase of operations - net of cash acquired (2)                                                    (27)                (145)
    Investment purchases (3)                                                                             (73)                (152)
    Investment sales and maturities (3)                                                                   95                  248
    Other - net                                                                                            5                   38
                                                                                                    -----------          -----------
                                                                                                        (102)                (374)
                                                                                                    -----------          -----------

CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY CONTINUING OPERATIONS                                                             56                 (136)
    Cash used by discontinued operations                                                                   -                  (96)
                                                                                                    -----------          -----------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                                          56                 (232)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF PERIOD                                                           34                  250
                                                                                                    -----------          -----------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD                                                           $     90             $     18
                                                                                                    ===========          ===========

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)      Excludes changes resulting from operations acquired or sold.
(2)      Amounts exclude acquisitions through the issuance of common stock, which amounted to $44 million in 1999 and 
         $32 million in 1998.
(3)      Represents  primarily  investment  transactions  of captive  insurance companies.

</TABLE>

SEE NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

                                     5
<PAGE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASHLAND INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE A - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

         INTERIM FINANCIAL REPORTING

         The  accompanying   unaudited  condensed   consolidated  financial
         statements   have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  generally
         accepted accounting principles for interim financial reporting and
         Securities  and Exchange  Commission  regulations.  Although  such
         statements are subject to any year-end audit adjustments which may
         be  necessary,  in the  opinion  of  management,  all  adjustments
         (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for
         a fair presentation have been included. These financial statements
         should be read in conjunction with Ashland's Annual Report on Form
         10-K for the fiscal  year ended  September  30,  1998.  Results of
         operations  for the six  months  ended  March  31,  1999,  are not
         necessarily  indicative  of  results to be  expected  for the year
         ending September 30, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

         INVENTORIES

         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             March 31        September 30            March 31
           (In millions)                                                         1999                1998                1998
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                           <C>                  <C>                 <C>   
           Chemicals and plastics                                             $   370              $  352              $  375
           Petroleum products                                                      53                  48                  52
           Construction materials                                                  53                  39                  41
           Other products                                                          49                  49                  49
           Supplies                                                                 8                   9                  10
           Excess of replacement costs over LIFO carrying values                  (53)                (57)                (62)
                                                                              --------             -------             -------
                                                                              $   480              $  440              $  465
                                                                              ========             =======             =======
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

         EARNINGS PER SHARE

            The  following  table  sets  forth  the  computation  of basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS).

            -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Three months ended             Six months ended
                                                                                March 31                      March 31
                                                                          -----------------------       -----------------------
            (In millions except per share data)                               1999         1998              1999         1998
            -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                       <C>          <C>              <C>           <C>     
            NUMERATOR
            Numerator for basic and diluted EPS - Net income              $     87     $     28         $      76     $     81
                                                                          ==========   ==========       ===========   ==========
            DENOMINATOR

            Denominator for basic EPS - Weighted average
               common shares outstanding                                        74           76                74           75
            Common shares issuable upon exercise of stock options                1            1                 1            2
                                                                          ----------   ----------       -----------   ----------
            Denominator for diluted EPS - Adjusted weighted
               average shares and assumed conversions                           75           77                75           77
                                                                          ==========   ==========       ===========   ==========
            BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE                                      $   1.17     $    .37         $    1.02     $   1.07
            DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE                                    $   1.16     $    .37         $    1.01     $   1.05
</TABLE>



                                     6
<PAGE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASHLAND INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE B - INFORMATION BY INDUSTRY SEGMENT

         During the quarter  ended March 31,  1999,  Ashland  took steps to
         provide greater market focus and definition for its former Ashland
         Chemical  operations  with the  creation  of two new  divisions  -
         Ashland   Distribution  Company  and  Ashland  Specialty  Chemical
         Company.  These divisions  replace Ashland Chemical  Company.  The
         Information  By  Industry  Segment  on Page 10 has been  presented
         showing  these two new segments,  with prior periods  restated for
         comparison purposes. In addition,  the following table shows total
         assets and capital  employed for each of the new segments at March
         31, 1999, and restated as of September 30, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

         -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Total assets                         Capital employed
                                                      --------------------------------       -----------------------------
                                                      March 31        September 30           March 31        September 30
            (In millions)                                 1999                1998               1999                1998
         -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>            <C>                    <C>             <C>         
            Ashland Distribution                       $   938        $        915           $    534        $        477
            Ashland Specialty Chemical                     873                 861                573                 557
</TABLE>

NOTE C - UNUSUAL ITEMS

         Marathon  Ashland  Petroleum  LLC  (MAP)  maintains  an  inventory
         valuation  reserve to reduce the LIFO cost of its  inventories  to
         their net  realizable  values.  Adjustments  in that  reserve  are
         recognized quarterly based on changes in petroleum product prices,
         creating  non-cash  charges or credits to Ashland's  earnings.  In
         addition, during the six  months  ended  March 31,  1998,  Ashland
         recorded  a gain  on the  sale  of its 23%  interest  in  Melamine
         Chemicals,  Inc.  The  following  tables show the effects of these
         unusual  items on  Ashland's  operating  income,  net  income  and
         diluted  earnings per share for the periods  ended March 31, 1999,
         and 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          Three months ended              Six months ended
                                                                               March 31                       March 31
                                                                       --------------------------     ----------------------------
           (In millions except per share data)                              1999           1998            1999            1998
          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                      <C>           <C>             <C>             <C>     
           Operating income before unusual items                         $    44       $     77        $    152        $    177
             MAP inventory valuation adjustments                             132              3              39               3
             Ashland Specialty Chemical gain on sale
              of Melamine Chemicals                                            -              -               -              14
                                                                       -----------    -----------     ------------    ------------
           Operating income as reported                                  $   176       $     80        $    191        $    194
                                                                       ===========    ===========     ============    ============

           Net income before unusual items                               $     6       $     26        $     52        $     72
             MAP inventory valuation adjustments                              81              2              24               2
             Ashland Specialty Chemical gain on sale
              of Melamine Chemicals                                            -              -               -               7
                                                                       -----------    -----------     ------------    ------------
           Net income as reported                                        $    87       $     28        $     76        $     81
                                                                       ===========    ===========     ============    ============

           Diluted earnings per share before unusual items               $   .08       $    .34        $    .69        $    .94
             Impact of unusual items                                        1.08            .03             .32             .11
                                                                       -----------    -----------     ------------    ------------
           Diluted earnings per share as reported                        $  1.16       $    .37        $   1.01        $   1.05
                                                                       ===========    ===========     ============    ============

</TABLE>

                                     7
<PAGE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASHLAND INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE D - UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES

         Ashland  is  required  by  Rule  3-09  of  Regulation  S-X to file
         separate   financial    statements   for   its   two   significant
         unconsolidated  affiliates,  Marathon Ashland  Petroleum LLC (MAP)
         and Arch Coal,  Inc. Such financial  statements for the year ended
         December 31, 1998,  were filed on a Form 10-K/A on March 17, 1999.
         Unaudited  income  statement  information  for these  companies is
         shown below.

         Since MAP  commenced  operations  on January 1, 1998,  comparative
         information  for the six  months  ended  March  31,  1998,  is not
         presented.  MAP's results included  adjustments to MAP's inventory
         market valuation reserve.  MAP is organized as a limited liability
         company  (LLC)  that has  elected  to be  taxed as a  partnership.
         Therefore, the parents are responsible for income taxes applicable
         to their share of MAP's taxable income.  The net income  reflected
         below for MAP does not  include  any  provision  for income  taxes
         which will be incurred by MAP's parents.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Three months ended                 Six months ended
                                                                 March 31                          March 31
                                                      -------------------------------   -------------------------------
           (In millions)                                      1999             1998             1999            1998
         --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>              <C>              <C>             <C>
           MAP
              Sales and operating revenues                $  4,184         $  4,589         $  8,896     
              Income from operations                           383              138              292     
              Net income
               Including inventory valuation adjustments       381              141              293
               Excluding inventory valuation adjustments        33              132              189
              Ashland's equity income
               Including inventory valuation adjustments       138               47               97
               Excluding inventory valuation adjustments         6               44               58
           ARCH COAL
              Sales and operating revenues                $    406         $    299         $    800        $    628
              Income from operations                            14               22               28              52
              Net income                                         1               16                2              37
              Ashland's equity income                            -                8                -              19
</TABLE>

NOTE E - LITIGATION, CLAIMS AND CONTINGENCIES

         Ashland  is  subject   to   various   federal,   state  and  local
         environmental  laws  and  regulations  that  require   remediation
         efforts  at  multiple   locations,   including  current  operating
         facilities, operating facilities conveyed to MAP, previously owned
         or operated  facilities,  and Superfund or other waste sites.  For
         information  regarding   environmental  capital  expenditures  and
         reserves,  see the "Miscellaneous - Environmental Matters" section
         of Ashland's Form 10-K.

         Environmental  reserves are subject to considerable  uncertainties
         that  affect  Ashland's  ability  to  estimate  its  share  of the
         ultimate costs of required remediation efforts. Such uncertainties
         involve the nature and extent of  contamination  at each site, the
         extent of required  cleanup  efforts under existing  environmental
         regulations,  widely varying costs of alternate  cleanup  methods,
         changes in  environmental  regulations,  the  potential  effect of
         continuing improvements in remediation technology,  and the number
         and financial strength of other potentially responsible parties at
         multiparty sites.


                                     8



<PAGE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASHLAND INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE E - LITIGATION, CLAIMS AND CONTINGENCIES (continued)

         Ashland is a defendant  in a series of cases  involving  more than
         600 former workers at the Lockheed aircraft manufacturing facility
         in Burbank,  California.  The plaintiffs  allege  personal  injury
         resulting  from exposure to chemicals sold to Lockheed by Ashland,
         and  inadequate  labeling of such  chemicals.  The cases are being
         tried in the  Superior  Court of the State of  California  for the
         County  of  Los   Angeles.   To  date,   five   trials   involving
         approximately  130  plaintiffs  have  resulted  in total  verdicts
         adverse to Ashland of approximately $80 million (approximately $75
         million of which is punitive damages). The damage awards have been
         appealed. Ashland believes that there is a substantial probability
         that the damage awards will be reversed or reduced substantially.

         In addition to these  matters,  Ashland and its  subsidiaries  are
         parties to numerous  other claims and lawsuits,  some of which are
         also for  substantial  amounts.  While  these  actions  are  being
         contested,  the outcome of individual  matters is not  predictable
         with assurance.

         Ashland does not believe that any liability  resulting from any of
         the above matters,  after taking into  consideration its insurance
         coverages and amounts  already  provided for, will have a material
         adverse effect on its consolidated financial position,  cash flows
         or liquidity.  However,  such matters could have a material effect
         on Ashland's  results of  operations  in a  particular  quarter or
         fiscal year as they develop or as new issues are identified.

NOTE F - ACQUISITIONS

         During the six months  ended March 31,  1999,  APAC  acquired  six
         construction  businesses,  four of which  included the issuance of
         $44  million  in  Ashland  common  stock.  In  addition,   Ashland
         Specialty  Chemical made an acquisition in its Composite  Polymers
         division.  These  acquisitions were accounted for as purchases and
         did  not  have a  significant  effect  on  Ashland's  consolidated
         financial statements.



                                     9
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASHLAND INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
INFORMATION BY INDUSTRY SEGMENT

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Three months ended                    Six months ended
                                                                             March 31                             March 31
                                                                    -----------------------------       ---------------------------
(In millions except as noted)                                             1999             1998               1999             1998
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                 <C>              <C>                <C>              <C>       
REVENUES
   Sales and operating revenues
     Ashland Distribution                                           $      716       $      740         $    1,422       $    1,466
     Ashland Specialty Chemical                                            304              332                613              646
     APAC                                                                  262              197                691              535
     Valvoline                                                             250              235                484              488
     Intersegment sales                                                                                                   
       Ashland Distribution                                                 (8)              (7)               (17)             (14)
       Ashland Specialty Chemical                                          (20)             (22)               (41)             (44)
       Valvoline                                                            (1)              (2)                (3)              (6)
                                                                    ------------     ------------       -------------    -----------
                                                                         1,503            1,473              3,149            3,071
   Equity income
     Ashland Specialty Chemical                                              1                2                  3                4
     Refining and Marketing                                                138               47                 97               83
     Arch Coal                                                               -                8                  -               19
                                                                    ------------     ------------       -------------    -----------
                                                                           139               57                100              106
   Other income
     Ashland Distribution                                                    2                2                  4                3
     Ashland Specialty Chemical                                              5                5                  9               25
     APAC                                                                    2                3                  5                4
     Valvoline                                                               1                2                  3                5
     Refining and Marketing                                                  3                1                 11                1
     Corporate                                                               -                6                  7                8
                                                                    ------------     ------------       -------------    -----------
                                                                            13               19                 39               46
                                                                    ------------     ------------       -------------    -----------
                                                                    $    1,655       $    1,549         $    3,288       $    3,223
                                                                    ============     ============       =============    ===========
OPERATING INCOME             
   Ashland Distribution                                             $       13       $       14         $       25       $       28
   Ashland Specialty Chemical                                               21               23                 49               61
   APAC                                                                      2                -                 28               19
   Valvoline                                                                13                5                 24               16
   Refining and Marketing (1)                                                6               41                 58               78
     Inventory valuation adjustments  (2)                                  132                3                 39                3
   Arch Coal                                                                 -                8                 (1)              19
   Corporate                                                               (11)             (14)               (31)             (30)
                                                                    ------------     ------------       -------------    -----------
                                                                    $      176       $       80         $      191       $      194
                                                                    ============     ============       =============    ===========
OPERATING INFORMATION
   APAC
     Construction backlog at March 31 (millions)                                                        $      872       $      825
     Hot mix asphalt production (million tons)                             3.1              2.3                9.9              7.7
     Aggregate production (million tons)                                   4.1              3.7                9.3              8.3
   Valvoline lubricant sales (thousand barrels per day)                   16.4             15.5               16.1             15.5
   Refining and Marketing (3)                                        
     Refined products sold (thousand barrels per day)                    1,121            1,143              1,181
     Crude oil refined (thousand barrels per day)                          848              905                855
   Arch Coal (3)
     Tons sold (millions)                                                 27.7             11.9               54.3             24.6
     Tons produced (millions)                                             26.1             11.4               50.9             22.2
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1)  Effective January 1, 1998,  includes Ashland's equity income from MAP,
     amortization  of  Ashland's  excess  investment  in MAP,  and  certain
     retained refining and marketing activities.
(2)  Represents  Ashland's  share  of  changes  in MAP's  inventory  market
     valuation reserve. The reserve reflects the excess of the LIFO cost of
     MAP's  crude  oil and  refined  product  inventories  over  their  net
     realizable values.
(3)  Amounts represent 100%  of  the  volumes  of  MAP or  Arch  Coal.  MAP
     commenced operations January 1, 1998.

                                    10

<PAGE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASHLAND INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

         CURRENT  QUARTER - Ashland  recorded net income of $87 million for
         the quarter ended March 31, 1999,  compared to $28 million for the
         quarter ended March 31, 1998. Excluding unusual items described in
         Note C to the Condensed  Consolidated  Financial  Statements,  net
         income amounted to $6 million in the 1999 period,  compared to $26
         million  in the  1998  period.  The  decline  was due to  severely
         compressed  refining  margins in  January  and  February  of 1999.
         Operating  income from  Ashland's  wholly owned  businesses was up
         18%, as Valvoline  and APAC  reported  excellent  quarters,  while
         Ashland Distribution and Ashland Specialty Chemical provided solid
         earnings.  However,  these good performances were more than offset
         by lower profits from Refining and Marketing and Arch Coal.

         YEAR-TO-DATE  - For the six months ended March 31,  1999,  Ashland
         recorded  net income of $76  million,  compared to $81 million for
         the six months  ended  March 31,  1998.  Excluding  unusual  items
         described  in  Note  C to  the  Condensed  Consolidated  Financial
         Statements, net income amounted to $52 million in the 1999 period,
         compared  to $72  million  in the 1998  period.  The  decline  was
         generally due to the same factors described in the current quarter
         comparison above.

         ASHLAND DISTRIBUTION

         CURRENT QUARTER - Ashland  Distribution  reported operating income
         of $13 million for the quarter  ended March 31, 1999,  compared to
         $14 million for the quarter  ended March 31, 1998.  The FRP Supply
         division  reported record second quarter  operating  income on the
         strength of improved sales volumes,  reflecting good conditions in
         segments  of the marine,  construction  and auto  industries.  The
         Industrial  Chemicals  &  Solvents  division  showed  improvement,
         reflecting  higher gross profit margins.  Results declined for the
         remaining  distribution   divisions  (General  Polymers,   Ashland
         Plastics Europe,  and Fine Ingredients)  despite increases in unit
         sales volumes,  as they encountered some price deflation resulting
         from weakness in commodity chemical markets.

         YEAR-TO-DATE  - For the six months ended March 31,  1999,  Ashland
         Distribution reported operating income of $25 million, compared to
         $28 million for the same period of 1998. The decline was generally
         due  to  the  same  factors   described  in  the  current  quarter
         comparison above.

         ASHLAND SPECIALTY CHEMICAL

         CURRENT  QUARTER - For the quarter  ended March 31, 1999,  Ashland
         Specialty  Chemical  reported  operating  income  of $21  million,
         compared  to $23  million  for the March 1998  quarter.  Composite
         Polymers,  Specialty Polymers & Adhesives, and Drew Industrial all
         set divisional  second quarter  profit  records,  primarily on the
         strength of increased sales volumes.  The Petrochemicals  division
         was  up  due  to  higher  margins  for  maleic  anhydride.   These
         improvements  partially  offset declines in the Foundry  Products,
         Drew  Marine,  and  Electronic   Chemicals   divisions   resulting
         primarily from reduced sales volumes.

         YEAR-TO-DATE  - For the six months ended March 31,  1999,  Ashland
         Specialty  Chemical  reported  operating  income  of $49  million.
         Results for the first six months of 1998  amounted to $47 million,
         excluding a $14 million  pretax gain on the sale of Ashland's  23%
         interest  in  Melamine   Chemicals.   Improvements   in  Composite
         Polymers,  Specialty  Polymers & Adhesives,  Drew  Industrial  and
         Petrochemicals more than offset declines in Foundry Products, Drew
         Marine and Electronic Chemicals. The same factors discussed in the
         current  quarter   comparison   above  affected  the  year-to-date
         comparison.


                                    11
<PAGE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASHLAND INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         APAC

         CURRENT  QUARTER - For the second  quarter of fiscal 1999,  APAC's
         construction  operations  reported operating income of $2 million,
         compared to breakeven  results for the March 1998  quarter.  Given
         the  seasonality  of highway  construction,  the March  quarter is
         typically  the  slowest  period in the  construction  season.  The
         profit generated in the March 1999 quarter  reflects  improvements
         in cost control and better weather  conditions than the March 1998
         quarter.

         YEAR-TO-DATE  - For the six  months  ended  March 31,  1999,  APAC
         reported  operating income of $28 million,  a 51% improvement over
         $19  million  for the same  period  of 1998.  Net  revenue  (total
         revenue less subcontract  work) increased 30%, while production of
         hot mix asphalt was up 29% and crushed  aggregate  was up 12% from
         the 1998  period.  The  construction  backlog  at March 31,  1999,
         amounted to $872  million,  the best March level in APAC  history,
         representing  a 6%  improvement  over the  March  1998  level.  In
         keeping with Ashland's  strategy to grow higher return businesses,
         APAC  completed six  acquisitions  during the first half of fiscal
         1999,  expanding its market position in North  Carolina,  Virginia
         and Missouri.

         VALVOLINE

         CURRENT QUARTER - For the quarter ended March 31, 1999,  Valvoline
         reported  operating income of $13 million,  compared to $5 million
         for the  March  1998  quarter.  Earnings  from the core  lubricant
         business  remained strong,  reflecting  increased  lubricant sales
         volumes.  In addition,  automotive chemical sales continue to gain
         momentum as the new SynPower product line has received  widespread
         customer  acceptance  following an  aggressive  marketing  program
         launched in fiscal  1998.  Revenues for Eagle One car care product
         lines are rapidly  increasing with good market  penetration  among
         the major mass market and automotive retailers.  Valvoline Instant
         Oil Change had a record March quarter  achieving  higher daily car
         counts.   Partially   offsetting  these  improvements  were  lower
         earnings  from  Valvoline  International  operations in Europe and
         Latin America. In addition,  the used-oil collection business felt
         the adverse effects of soft used-oil fuel prices.

         YEAR-TO-DATE - For the six months ended March 31, 1999,  Valvoline
         reported operating income of $24 million,  compared to $16 million
         for the same period of 1998. The increase was generally due to the
         same factors described in the current quarter comparison above.

         REFINING AND MARKETING

         CURRENT  QUARTER - Operating  income from  Refining and  Marketing
         (excluding $132 million in favorable  inventory  market  valuation
         adjustments)  amounted to $6 million  for the quarter  ended March
         31, 1999. This compares to $41 million for the quarter ended March
         31,  1998  (excluding  $3 million in  favorable  inventory  market
         valuation adjustments). Results for both periods include Ashland's
         38% share of MAP's  earnings,  amortization  of  Ashland's  excess
         investment  in MAP, and results of certain  retained  refining and
         marketing   activities.   The  decline  in  operating  income  was
         primarily due to severely  compressed  refining margins in January
         and  February.  In  addition  to margin  compression  early in the
         quarter,  results were adversely  affected by an estimated loss on
         the pending sale of MAP's Scurlock  Permian  operations,  of which
         Ashland's  share was $6 million.  Results  from  retail  marketing
         operations   increased   primarily   on  the  strength  of  higher
         merchandise sales volumes. Transportation operations declined as a
         result of increased  operating  expenses and decreased  throughput
         volumes.

                                    12

<PAGE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASHLAND INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         REFINING AND MARKETING (CONTINUED)

         YEAR-TO-DATE  -  Operating  income  from  Refining  and  Marketing
         (excluding  $39 million in favorable  inventory  market  valuation
         adjustments)  amounted  to $58  million  for the six months  ended
         March 31,  1999.  This  compares to $78 million for the six months
         ended March 31, 1998 (excluding $3 million in favorable  inventory
         market valuation adjustments). Results for the prior year's period
         include the operating  income of the former Ashland  Petroleum and
         SuperAmerica  divisions  for the December  1997  quarter.  MAP was
         formed  January 1, 1998,  when  Ashland  combined its refining and
         marketing  operations with those of the  USX-Marathon  Group.  The
         decrease in operating income reflects reduced refining margins and
         other factors  described in the current quarter  comparison above.
         The  impact  of  decreased  refining  margins  has  been  somewhat
         mitigated by substantial  efficiency  improvements  resulting from
         the combined  operations  of MAP. In its first year of  existence,
         MAP captured  approximately  $150  million in annual,  repeatable,
         pretax  savings and  established  itself as an industry  leader in
         earnings per barrel of crude oil  throughput.  An additional  $100
         million in  efficiencies  are targeted for calendar 1999.  Looking
         toward the remainder of fiscal 1999,  refining  margins  typically
         improve entering the driving season,  and MAP continues to achieve
         its savings targets. In addition,  asphalt markets are expected to
         be tight, which should benefit MAP as the nation's largest asphalt
         producer.

         ARCH COAL

         CURRENT  QUARTER - Ashland  recorded  breakeven  results  from its
         investment  in Arch Coal for the  quarter  ended  March 31,  1999,
         compared to operating  income of $8 million for the quarter  ended
         March 31, 1998.  The decline was due to  continuing  challenges at
         certain mines and mild winter  weather that  contributed to a weak
         coal market.  An operating loss from Arch's  Dal-Tex  operation in
         southern West Virginia was due to an extended delay in obtaining a
         surface  mining permit for  additional  reserves at the site. As a
         result of this delay,  Arch has announced  plans to close the mine
         in July and  recorded an  after-tax  charge of $4.0 million in the
         March 1999  quarter for  severance  and other  labor,  benefit and
         miscellaneous  costs  related to the  impending  closure.  Largely
         offsetting  this charge,  Arch recorded an after-tax  gain of $3.8
         million in the March 1999 quarter for the cumulative  effect of an
         accounting  change in the method it uses for depreciating  certain
         assets.  Arch  switched  from  the  straight-line  method  to  the
         units-of-production method for depreciating its preparation plants
         and  rail-loading  facilities,  which will  yield a more  accurate
         matching of costs to actual  production.  Arch is  continuing  its
         efforts  to  improve  performance  at its  Black  Thunder  mine in
         eastern  Wyoming,  but has yet to reach its targets  for  expanded
         production and reduced costs.  Arch expects Black Thunder to be in
         a considerably stronger position by the end of calendar 1999.

         YEAR-TO-DATE  - For the six months ended March 31,  1999,  Ashland
         recorded an operating  loss of $1 million from its  investment  in
         Arch,  compared  to  operating  income of $19 million for the same
         period  of 1998.  In  addition  to the  factors  described  in the
         current quarter  comparison  above,  results for the December 1998
         quarter   were   impacted   by   inadequate   rail   service   and
         higher-than-expected  operating  costs at Arch's  West Elk mine in
         Colorado,  as well as bitterly  cold  weather that  hindered  both
         equipment  and  rail  performance  of  Western  operations.  As it
         previously  announced,  Arch expects  continued  earnings weakness
         during  calendar  1999,  primarily  as a  result  of  the  Dal-Tex
         situation,   lower-than-expected   price   escalations   in  sales
         contracts,  and the re-opening and  renegotiation of several large
         contracts.

                                    13


<PAGE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASHLAND INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         CORPORATE

         Corporate  expenses  amounted to $11 million in the quarter  ended
         March 31,  1999,  compared to $14  million  for the quarter  ended
         March 31, 1998. The decline  reflects  reductions in incentive and
         deferred compensation costs.  Corporate expenses on a year-to-date
         basis were relatively unchanged,  amounting to $31 million for the
         1999 period, compared to $30 million for the 1998 period.

         INTEREST EXPENSE (NET OF INTEREST INCOME)

         For the three months ended March 31, 1999,  interest  expense (net
         of interest  income) totaled $34 million,  compared to $36 million
         for  the  March  1998  quarter.   The  decline   reflects   higher
         miscellaneous  interest charges in the March 1998 quarter. For the
         year-to-date,  interest  expense (net of interest income) amounted
         to $67 million in the 1999 period,  compared to $62 million in the
         1998 period. The increase reflects increased debt levels resulting
         primarily  from $254  million  in  purchases  of leased  assets in
         December  1997 and January 1998  associated  with the formation of
         MAP, from common stock repurchases and from acquisitions.

FINANCIAL POSITION

         LIQUIDITY

         Ashland's  financial position has enabled it to obtain capital for
         its financing  needs and to maintain  investment  grade ratings on
         its  senior  debt of Baa2 from  Moody's  and BBB from  Standard  &
         Poor's.  Ashland has a revolving credit agreement which expires on
         February 9, 2000,  providing for up to $320 million in borrowings,
         none of which was in use at March 31, 1999. At that date,  under a
         shelf  registration,  Ashland could also issue an additional  $600
         million in debt,  equity or convertible  securities  should future
         opportunities or needs arise. On May 7, 1999,  Ashland issued $150
         million in medium-term  notes under the  registration and used the
         proceeds  to reduce  short-term  debt.  Furthermore,  Ashland  has
         access to various uncommitted lines of credit and commercial paper
         markets,  under which $383 million of short-term  borrowings  were
         outstanding at March 31, 1999.

         Cash flows from continuing operations, a major source of Ashland's
         liquidity,  amounted to $51 million for the six months ended March
         31, 1999,  compared to a deficit of $66 million for the six months
         ended March 31, 1998. The increase reflects a higher level of cash
         distributions  from MAP in the December 1998 quarter,  compared to
         cash  generated  from  Ashland's  former  Refining  and  Marketing
         operations  in  the  December  1997  quarter.   Ashland's  capital
         requirements  for net property  additions and  dividends  exceeded
         cash flows from  continuing  operations by $87 million for the six
         months ended March 31, 1999.

         Operating  working capital  (accounts  receivable and inventories,
         less  trade  and  other  payables)  at March  31,  1999,  was $415
         million,  compared to $351 million at September 30, 1998, and $478
         million at March 31, 1998.  Liquid assets (cash,  cash equivalents
         and accounts receivable) amounted to 72% of current liabilities at
         March 31, 1999,  compared to 84% at September 30, 1998, and 78% at
         March 31, 1998.  Ashland's  working capital is affected by its use
         of  the  LIFO  method  of   inventory   valuation,   which  valued
         inventories $53 million below their replacement costs at March 31,
         1999.



                                    14
<PAGE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASHLAND INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         CAPITAL RESOURCES

         For the six  months  ended  March  31,  1999,  property  additions
         amounted to $102  million,  compared to $109  million for the same
         period last year.  Property  additions and cash  dividends for the
         remainder  of fiscal 1999 are  estimated  at $100  million and $40
         million.  Under Ashland's share  repurchase  program  initiated in
         August 1998,  Ashland had  repurchased  3.7 million shares through
         March  31,  1999,  with  remaining   authority  to  repurchase  an
         additional  2.7  million  shares.  The timing and exact  number of
         shares to be repurchased  will be dependent on market  conditions.
         Ashland   anticipates   meeting   its   remaining   1999   capital
         requirements for property additions, debt repayments and dividends
         from internally generated funds.  However,  external financing may
         be necessary to fund common stock repurchases and acquisitions.

         At March 31, 1999,  Ashland's debt level amounted to $1.9 billion,
         compared to $1.6 billion at September 30, 1998.  Debt as a percent
         of capital employed amounted to 48% at March 31, 1999, compared to
         43% at September 30, 1998.  During the quarter ended  December 31,
         1998,  Ashland  liquidated  $200 million of its interest rate swap
         agreements,  which had converted fixed-rate debt to floating rates
         at  September  30,  1998.  As  a  result,  Ashland's  exposure  to
         short-term  interest rate  fluctuations  for the remainder of 1999
         will be limited to $38 million in  floating-rate  debt outstanding
         at March 31, 1999,  the remaining $25 million  floating-rate  swap
         agreement,   and  any  short-term   notes  and  commercial   paper
         outstanding.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

         Federal,  state and local  laws and  regulations  relating  to the
         protection of the  environment  have resulted in higher  operating
         costs and capital  investments  by the industries in which Ashland
         operates.   Because  of  the  continuing   trends  toward  greater
         environmental awareness and ever increasing  regulations,  Ashland
         believes  that  expenditures  for  environmental  compliance  will
         continue to have a significant effect on its businesses.  Although
         it cannot  accurately  predict how such trends will affect  future
         operations   and  earnings,   Ashland   believes  the  nature  and
         significance of its ongoing compliance costs will be comparable to
         those of its  competitors.  For  information  on certain  specific
         environmental  proceedings  and  investigations,  see  the  "Legal
         Proceedings" section of this Form 10-Q. For information  regarding
         environmental   capital   expenditures   and  reserves,   see  the
         "Miscellaneous -  Environmental Matters" section of Ashland's Form
         10-K.

         Environmental  reserves are subject to considerable  uncertainties
         that  affect  Ashland's  ability  to  estimate  its  share  of the
         ultimate costs of required remediation efforts. Such uncertainties
         involve the nature and extent of  contamination  at each site, the
         extent of required  cleanup  efforts under existing  environmental
         regulations,  widely varying costs of alternate  cleanup  methods,
         changes in  environmental  regulations,  the  potential  effect of
         continuing improvements in remediation technology,  and the number
         and financial strength of other potentially responsible parties at
         multiparty sites.

         Ashland  does  not  believe  that  any  liability  resulting  from
         environmental   matters,   after  taking  into  consideration  its
         insurance  coverage and amounts already  provided for, will have a
         material  adverse effect on its consolidated  financial  position,
         cash  flows or  liquidity.  However,  such  matters  could  have a
         material effect on Ashland's results of operations in a particular
         quarter  or  fiscal  year as they  develop  or as new  issues  are
         identified.


                                    15
<PAGE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASHLAND INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

YEAR 2000 READINESS

         Ashland,  like most other  companies,  is faced with the Year 2000
         issue and began  developing  plans in 1994 to address the possible
         exposures.  Project teams are  responsible  for  coordinating  the
         assessment, remediation and testing of the necessary modifications
         to  Ashland's  computer  applications,   including  both  internal
         information systems and embedded systems, as well as assessing the
         Year  2000   readiness  of  its  major   vendors  and   developing
         contingency  plans. The team's progress is regularly  monitored by
         Ashland's senior management and periodically reported to the Audit
         Committee of Ashland's Board of Directors.

         Ashland has completed the assessment phase related to its internal
         information  systems,  and is resolving  identified issues through
         system   modifications  or  replacement.   Although  testing  will
         continue,  Ashland  believes  that  about  93% of its  significant
         systems are currently Year 2000 compliant,  and that the remaining
         systems will be compliant by early summer.

         Ashland has substantially completed the assessment of its embedded
         systems  that  operate  such items as its  manufacturing  systems,
         laboratory  processes and security systems.  Embedded systems will
         be  remediated  or replaced as  necessary by early summer or plans
         will be made to perform such remediation or replacement activities
         as part of scheduled  shutdowns that will occur later in 1999. The
         quality of the responses  received from the  manufacturers of such
         equipment,  the  estimated  effect  of the  individual  system  on
         Ashland,  and the ability of Ashland to perform  meaningful  tests
         will determine whether  independent testing of remediated embedded
         systems will be conducted.

         Formal  communications  have been  initiated with major vendors to
         assess the  potential  exposure to Ashland  from their  failure to
         remediate  their own Year 2000  issues.  A failure by any of these
         vendors could become a significant  challenge to Ashland's ability
         to operate its facilities at affected locations. Vendors contacted
         include Ashland's suppliers,  financial institutions and companies
         providing  utilities  (electric,  telephone and water).  Alternate
         providers of products and services will be established,  if deemed
         necessary. Although Ashland has no means of ensuring the Year 2000
         readiness of such vendors,  it will continue to gather information
         and  monitor  their  compliance.   Based  on  the  representations
         provided  by these  vendors  to date,  Ashland  has no  reason  to
         believe  that these  vendors  are not  addressing  their Year 2000
         issues adequately.

         Ashland is also developing  contingency  plans related to the Year
         2000 issue,  addressing various scenarios and alternatives.  Among
         other things, such plans will likely include replacing  electronic
         applications with manual processes, identifying alternate vendors,
         adjusting  staffing  requirements,  and  increasing  raw  material
         inventory  levels,  as  deemed  necessary.  Contingency  plans are
         expected  to be  completed  by June  1999,  and will be  regularly
         updated as current issues develop or new issues are identified.

         Although a full  assessment  has not yet been  completed,  Ashland
         estimates  that its fiscal 1999 costs  related to Year 2000 issues
         will not exceed $15 million, and will be minimal thereafter.  Such
         amount is based on various  assumptions,  including  the  expected
         availability and costs of internal and external  resources and the
         complexity  of the  necessary  changes.  Such  estimate  does  not
         include  any  costs  of  new  systems  for  which  the   principal
         justification is improved business functionality, rather than Year
         2000 compliance.  Since Ashland's Year 2000 compliance program was
         initiated  several  years ago and has been  integrated  with other
         system  enhancements,  Ashland's  total costs of remediating  Year
         2000 issues are not readily discernible.

                                    16
<PAGE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASHLAND INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

YEAR 2000 READINESS (continued)

         Ashland   believes  it  has  an   effective   program  to  resolve
         significant Year 2000 issues in a timely manner. However,  certain
         phases  of that  program  have  not yet  been  completed  and some
         exposures  are outside  Ashland's  direct  control.  If Ashland is
         unsuccessful in identifying or remediating Year 2000 issues in its
         significant systems, is affected by major vendors or customers not
         being Year 2000  compliant,  or is  affected  by general  economic
         disruptions  resulting  from Year 2000  issues,  its  consolidated
         financial  position or results of  operations  could be materially
         adversely affected.

         MAP and Arch Coal also have  prepared  their own  programs to deal
         with Year 2000  issues.  Arch  Coal's  program is  outlined in the
         Management's  Discussion and Analysis section of its Annual Report
         on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 1998.  MAP's program
         is covered in the Management's Discussion and Analysis section for
         the Marathon Group in USX Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K
         for the year ended December 31, 1998.  Both of these documents are
         on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

         This Form 10-Q  contains  forward-looking  statements,  within the
         meaning of Section 27A of the  Securities  Act of 1933 and Section
         21E of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  with  respect  to
         Ashland's  operating   performance.   Estimates  as  to  operating
         performance  are  based  upon a number of  assumptions,  including
         (among others) prices,  supply and demand,  market  conditions and
         operating   efficiencies.  Although   Ashland  believes  that  its
         expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, it cannot assure
         that the  expectations  reflected  herein will be  achieved.  This
         forward-looking information may prove to be inaccurate, and actual
         results may differ  significantly  from those  anticipated.  Other
         factors and risks  affecting  Ashland are  contained  in Ashland's
         Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998.

                                    17

<PAGE>
                        PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ITEM 1.           LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

ENVIRONMENTAL  PROCEEDINGS  - As  of  March  31,  1999,  Ashland  had  been
identified as a "potentially  responsible party" ("PRP") under Superfund or
similar state laws for potential  joint and several  liability for clean-up
costs in  connection  with  alleged  releases of  hazardous  substances  in
connection  with 92 waste  treatment  or  disposal  sites.  These sites are
currently  subject  to  ongoing   investigation  and  remedial  activities,
overseen by the United States Environmental  Protection Agency ("EPA") or a
state agency, in which Ashland is typically  participating as a member of a
PRP group.  Generally,  the type of relief sought  includes  remediation of
contaminated soil and/or groundwater,  reimbursement for past costs of site
clean-up and  administrative  oversight,  and/or  long-term  monitoring  of
environmental  conditions  at the sites.  Ashland  carefully  monitors  the
investigatory  and remedial  activity at many of these sites.  Based on its
experience   with  site   remediation,   its   familiarity   with   current
environmental laws and regulations,  its analysis of the specific hazardous
substances at issue, the existence of other financially viable PRPs and its
current estimates of  investigatory,  clean-up and monitoring costs at each
site,   Ashland  believes  that  its  liability  at  these  sites,   either
individually  or in the aggregate,  after taking into account its insurance
coverage and established reserves,  will not have a material adverse effect
on  Ashland's  consolidated  financial  position,  cash flow or  liquidity.
However,  such matters could have a material effect on Ashland's results of
operations in a particular quarter or fiscal year as they develop or as new
issues are identified.  Estimated costs for these matters are recognized in
accordance  with generally  accepted  accounting  principles  governing the
likelihood that costs will be incurred and Ashland's  ability to reasonably
estimate future costs.

LOCKHEED LITIGATION - Ashland is a defendant in a series of cases involving
more  than  600  former  workers  at the  Lockheed  aircraft  manufacturing
facility in Burbank,  California.  The plaintiffs  allege personal injuries
resulting  from  exposure to  chemicals  sold to  Lockheed by Ashland,  and
inadequate  labeling  of such  chemicals.  The cases are being tried in the
Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles. To
date, five trials involving  approximately  130 plaintiffs have resulted in
total   verdicts   adverse  to  Ashland  of   approximately   $80   million
(approximately $75 million of which is punitive damages). The damage awards
have  been  appealed.   Ashland   believes  that  there  is  a  substantial
probability  that the  damage  awards  will be  reversed  or  substantially
further reduced,  and that,  after taking into account probable  recoveries
under  insurance  policies,  these  cases will not have a material  adverse
effect  on  Ashland's  consolidated   financial  position,   cash  flow  or
liquidity.

In addition,  Ashland filed an action in Kentucky against  approximately 44
insurance  carriers to confirm coverage for liabilities  under the Lockheed
cases. One of the insurance  carriers in turn filed an action in California
seeking to deny insurance coverage for liabilities in these cases.

ITEM 2.           CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

During the quarter  ended March 31,  1999,  Ashland  issued an aggregate of
801,473  shares  of its  Common  Stock,  par  value  $1.00  per  share,  in
connection with the acquisitions of three  companies.  All such shares were
issued in transactions exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of
the Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  and the  regulations  thereunder.
Such acquisitions were: McDonald Grading Co., Inc. which closed on February
12, 1999, Crowell Constructors, Inc. which closed on February 12, 1999, and
Highway Constructors, Inc. which closed on March 25, 1999.

ITEM 6.           EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)  Exhibits

27     Financial Data Schedule

(b)    Reports on Form 8-K

       None

                                    18
<PAGE>


                                 SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
the  Registrant  has duly  caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                    Ashland Inc.               
                                      (Registrant)




Date:  May 13, 1999                     /s/ Kenneth L. Aulen             
                                   --------------------------------------
                                   Kenneth L. Aulen
                                   Administrative Vice President and Controller
                                   (Chief Accounting Officer)


Date:   May  13, 1999                   /s/ David L. Hausrath
                                   ---------------------------------------
                                   David L. Hausrath
                                   Vice President and General Counsel







                                     19
<PAGE>
                               EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit No.         Description
- -----------         ---------------------------------------------------

   27               Financial Data Schedule


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND>             THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION
                     EXTRACTED  FROM ASHLAND INC.'S 2ND QUARTER 10-Q AND IS
                     QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 10-Q.
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000,000
       
<S>                                                                          <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                                6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                            SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                                                 MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                                                                90
<SECURITIES>                                                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                                      1,072
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                          22
<INVENTORY>                                                                          480
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                                   1,935
<PP&E>                                                                             2,544
<DEPRECIATION>                                                                     1,322
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                                     6,238
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                              1,588
<BONDS>                                                                            1,481
<COMMON>                                                                              74
                                                                  0
                                                                            0
<OTHER-SE>                                                                         2,007
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                                       6,238
<SALES>                                                                            3,149
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                                   3,288
<CGS>                                                                              2,579
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                                      2,579
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                                    67
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                                      124
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                          48
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                                   76
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                        0
<CHANGES>                                                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                                                          76
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                       1.02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                       1.01
        

</TABLE>


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