<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
   This schedule contains summary financial information extracted
   from Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended
   December 31, 1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference
   to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                           10,081
<SECURITIES>                                          0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   109,639
<ALLOWANCES>                                      3,629
<INVENTORY>                                      92,411
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                235,389
<PP&E>                                          198,175
<DEPRECIATION>                                  116,045
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  367,299
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            97,244
<BONDS>                                          42,339
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                 0
<PREFERRED>                                           0
<COMMON>                                         12,427
<OTHER-SE>                                      201,907
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    367,299
<SALES>                                         441,942
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                441,942
<CGS>                                           202,438
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   202,438
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                      0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                3,731
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  34,228
<INCOME-TAX>                                      9,926
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              24,302
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0
<CHANGES>                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                     24,302
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.98
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.97