<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted
         from Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended
         December 31, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference
         to such financial statements.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           10,843
<SECURITIES>                                          0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   100,339
<ALLOWANCES>                                      3,374
<INVENTORY>                                      91,428
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                227,418
<PP&E>                                          178,631
<DEPRECIATION>                                   99,953
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  351,876
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           100,782
<BONDS>                                          38,952
<COMMON>                                         12,421
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                 0
<PREFERRED>                                           0
<OTHER-SE>                                      184,256
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    351,876
<SALES>                                         426,914
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                426,914
<CGS>                                           189,331
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   189,331
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                      0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                1,216
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  22,728
<INCOME-TAX>                                      6,364
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              16,364
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0
<CHANGES>                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                     16,364
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.32