<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from (a) Gelman
Sciences Inc. Statement of Income and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
for the six months ended January 31, 1996 an the Consolidated Balance Sheet as
of January 31, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such (b)
Form 10-Q for the second quarter ended January 31, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000310252
<NAME> GELMAN SCIENCES INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                     6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                 JUL-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                      JAN-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                             1
<CASH>                                  6,015
<SECURITIES>                                0
<RECEIVABLES>                          25,778
<ALLOWANCES>                           (1,648)
<INVENTORY>                            14,002
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                       49,357
<PP&E>                                 72,401
<DEPRECIATION>                        (39,200)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                         84,928
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                  14,207
<BONDS>                                 7,756
<COMMON>                                  790
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                       0
<PREFERRED>                                 0
<OTHER-SE>                             62,175
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>           84,928
<SALES>                                54,459
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                       54,459
<CGS>                                  26,814
<TOTAL-COSTS>                          26,814
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                       21,510
<LOSS-PROVISION>                          107
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                        305
<INCOME-PRETAX>                         5,723
<INCOME-TAX>                            1,945
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                     3,778
<DISCONTINUED>                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                             0
<CHANGES>                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                            3,778
<EPS-PRIMARY>                            0.46
<EPS-DILUTED>                            0.46