<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ARROW INTERNATIONAL, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED FEBRUARY
28, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1998
<CASH>                                           5,457
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   65,937
<ALLOWANCES>                                       861
<INVENTORY>                                     62,817
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               150,802
<PP&E>                                         176,463
<DEPRECIATION>                                  66,258
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 341,274
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           56,943
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        45,603
<OTHER-SE>                                     218,375
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   341,274
<SALES>                                        130,539
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               130,539
<CGS>                                           57,691
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   39,132
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   395
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 33,321
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,495
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             20,826
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    20,826
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .90
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .90