SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549


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


                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT



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



Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 20, 1999


                       NL INDUSTRIES, INC.
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       (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)



New Jersey                   1-640                    13-5267260
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(State or other       (Commission File No.)     (Employer ID No.)
jurisdiction of
incorporation)



16825 Northchase Dr., Suite 1200, Houston, Texas             77060
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(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip Code)



Registrant's telephone number, including area code   (281) 423-3300


                          Not Applicable
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   (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)



Item 5. Other Events. On July 20, 1999, the Registrant issued the press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits. (c) Exhibits (i) Exhibit 99.1. Press Release dated July 20, 1999. * * * * * SIGNATURE 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. NL INDUSTRIES, INC. (Registrant) /s/Robert D. Hardy Vice President & Controller Dated: July 22, 1999




                                                          Susan E. Alderton
                                                    Chief Financial Officer
                                                             (281) 423-3332


                                                               EXHIBIT 99.1







FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



            NL INDUSTRIES, INC. ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER DIVIDEND



HOUSTON, TEXAS -- July 20, 1999 -- NL Industries,  Inc. (NYSE:NL) announced that
its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly  dividend of three and a
half  cents  per  share on its  common  stock,  payable  September  30,  1999 to
shareholders of record September 16, 1999.

NL  Industries,  Inc. is a major  international  producer  of  titanium  dioxide
pigments.


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