<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the September 30, 1996 10-Q of ocean Bio-Chem, inc. and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 <CASH> 845,180 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 2,451,979 <ALLOWANCES> 43,000 <INVENTORY> 2,657,244 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 6,298,980 <PP&E> 2,547,974 <DEPRECIATION> 381,761 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 9,552,301 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 4,360,151 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 36,928 <OTHER-SE> 4,625,222 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 9,552,301 <SALES> 9,274,884 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 9,280,867 <CGS> 5,896,449 <TOTAL-COSTS> 2,266,702 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 171,877 <INCOME-PRETAX> 762,303 <INCOME-TAX> 286,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 476,303 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 476,303 <EPS-PRIMARY> .13 <EPS-DILUTED> .13