SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

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

April 21, 1998                

(Date of Report, date of earliest event reported)

COMPX INTERNATIONAL INC.                

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware              1-13905             57-0981653     

(State or other        (Commission        (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of        File Number)       Identification
incorporation)                             No.)

200 Old Mill Road, Mauldin, SC           29662        

(Address of principal executive offices)     (Zip Code)

(864) 297-6655                        

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not applicable                        

(Former name or address, if changed since last report)

Item 5: Other Events

On April 21, 1998, the Registrant issued the press release attached
hereto as Exhibit 99.1 which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7: Financial Statements,  Pro Forma  Financial Information

and Exhibits

(c)  Exhibit

Item No.              Exhibit Index               
99.1           Press release dated April 21, 1998
issued by the Registrant

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 hereunto duly authorized.

VALHI, INC.
(Registrant)

By: /s/ Bobby D. O'Brien      

Bobby D. O'Brien
Vice President & Treasurer

Date:  April 21, 1998

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                       CONTACT:

CompX International Inc.                     Joseph S. Compofelice
200 Old Mill Road                            Chief Executive Officer
Mauldin, South Carolina                      (281) 423-3303

COMPX REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 1998 RESULTS

MAULDIN, SOUTH CAROLINA _ April 21, 1998 _ CompX International Inc. (NYSE:
CIX) reported net income for the first quarter of 1998 of $2.2 million, or $.18
per diluted share, compared to  net income of $3.7 million, or $.37 per diluted
share, for the first quarter of 1997. The Company's results for the first
quarter of 1998 include a non-recurring charge of $3.3 million ($2.3 million
after tax, or $.20 per diluted share) related to shares of the Company's Class A
common stock awarded to key individuals in connection with the Company's
recently completed initial public offering. Excluding the charge associated with
the stock award, the Company's first quarter of 1998 operating results improved
compared to first quarter of 1997 on record sales resulting primarily from
increased sales volume in locks, precision ball bearing slides and ergonomic
products.

Excluding the stock award charge discussed above, operating income in the
first quarter of 1998 increased to $7.6 million from $6.3 million in the first
quarter of 1997. Excluding the effect of the stock award charge, operating
income margins remained strong at approximately 24% in both periods, and
excluding the effect of the Fort Lock operations acquired in early March 1998,
increased by approximately 1% in the first quarter of 1998 compared to the first
quarter of 1997. Net sales increased 24% from $25.8 million in the first quarter
of 1997 to $32.1 million in the first quarter of 1998. Approximately one-third
of the increase in net sales results from the Fort Lock acquisition. Sales
volumes continue to benefit from continued strong demand in the office furniture
market and new product introductions in the slide and ergonomic products areas.

"With strong economic conditions in our major markets and good office
furniture products demand, our plants are running very efficiently. Our
continued emphasis on new product introductions and cost containment should
enable us to record excellent earnings growth in 1998," said Joseph S.
Compofelice, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

CompX is a leading manufacturer of ergonomic computer support systems,
precision ball bearing slides and locking systems.

Statements in this release relating to matters that are not historical
facts are forward-looking  statements that involve risks and uncertainties,
including, but not limited to, general economic and  political conditions,
demand for office furniture, service industry employment levels, competitive
products and prices and other risks and uncertainties detailed in the Company's
Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Actual results could differ
materially from those forecast or expected. The Company assumes no duty to
publicly update such statements.

*******

COMPX INTERNATIONAL INC.
SUMMARY OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS
(In millions, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

Quarters ended March 31,

1997          1998

Net sales                         $ 25.8        $ 32.1 

Operating income                  $  6.3        $  4.3 

General corporate expense           (0.2)          -

Interest expense                      -           (0.7)

Income before income taxes           6.1           3.6 

Income tax expense                   2.4           1.4 

Net income                     $  3.7        $  2.2 

Net income per diluted
common share                      $ 0.37        $ 0.18 

Weighted average diluted
common shares outstanding           10.0          11.8