<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE AUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF DENTSPLY
INTERNATIONAL, INC. AT DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR THEN
ENDED, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>                                   
<MULTIPLIER>                    1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                  JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                    DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                 5619
<SECURITIES>                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                        104452
<ALLOWANCES>                           2475
<INVENTORY>                          125398
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                     256746
<PP&E>                               197799
<DEPRECIATION>                        56341
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                       667662
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                143199
<BONDS>                               75109
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                     0
<PREFERRED>                               0
<COMMON>                                271
<OTHER-SE>                           365319
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>         667662
<SALES>                              656557
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                     656557
<CGS>                                331887
<TOTAL-COSTS>                        331887
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                     204708
<LOSS-PROVISION>                        498
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                    11095 
<INCOME-PRETAX>                      110960 
<INCOME-TAX>                          43738
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                   67222
<DISCONTINUED>                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<CHANGES>                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                          67222
<EPS-PRIMARY>                          2.50
<EPS-DILUTED>                          2.50