<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
AUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL,
INC. AT DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR THEN ENDED, AND IS 
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                       0000818479
<NAME>                      DENTSPLY International, Inc.
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                  JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                    DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                          8690
<SECURITIES>                    0
<RECEIVABLES>                   142108
<ALLOWANCES>                    7890                       
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<PP&E>                          239187
<DEPRECIATION>                  80189
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                  895322
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>           194376
<BONDS>                         217491
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>           0
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<SALES>                         795122
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                795122
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<OTHER-EXPENSES>                342087
<LOSS-PROVISION>                4484
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>              15367
<INCOME-PRETAX>                 55101
<INCOME-TAX>                    20276
<INCOME-CONTINUING>             34825
<DISCONTINUED>                  0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                 0
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<NET-INCOME>                    34825
<EPS-PRIMARY>                   .65
<EPS-DILUTED>                   .65