WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  

<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the 
unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements of DENTSPLY International
Inc. at September 30, 1996 and for the fiscal quarter then ended, and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                          0000818479                     
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1000
       
                                            
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                                4229
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        95017
<ALLOWANCES>                                             0
<INVENTORY>                                         131784
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                    251975
<PP&E>                                              194085
<DEPRECIATION>                                       53897
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                      665867
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                               130513
<BONDS>                                              95976
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                               271
<OTHER-SE>                                          349429
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                        665867
<SALES>                                             476266
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                    476266
<CGS>                                               243226
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                       243226
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    150212
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    8492
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      77039
<INCOME-TAX>                                         30409
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  46630
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                         46630
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         1.73
<EPS-DILUTED>                                            0