<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE MOLEX INC. REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 242,093 <SECURITIES> 36,247 <RECEIVABLES> 302,097 <ALLOWANCES> (12,740) <INVENTORY> 149,885 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 753,032 <PP&E> 1,325,008 <DEPRECIATION> (703,916) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,488,616 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 274,726 <BONDS> 7,421 <COMMON> 5,256 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 1,152,545 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,488,616 <SALES> 359,595 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 359,595 <CGS> 216,769 <TOTAL-COSTS> 86,932 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (318) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> (2,427) <INCOME-PRETAX> 58,639 <INCOME-TAX> 22,784 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 35,855 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 35,855 <EPS-PRIMARY> .36 <EPS-DILUTED> .36