<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE MOLEX INC. REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 183,519 <SECURITIES> 92,242 <RECEIVABLES> 318,694 <ALLOWANCES> (13,176) <INVENTORY> 155,835 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 774,077 <PP&E> 1,353,805 <DEPRECIATION> (718,253) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,515,018 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 280,845 <BONDS> 7,264 <COMMON> 6,522 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 1,168,670 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,515,018 <SALES> 736,600 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 736,600 <CGS> 440,721 <TOTAL-COSTS> 179,210 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (37) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> (5,070) <INCOME-PRETAX> 121,776 <INCOME-TAX> 45,724 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 76,052 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 76,052 <EPS-PRIMARY> .61 <EPS-DILUTED> .61