<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ARROW INTERNATIONAL, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MAY 31,
1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERNCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1998
<CASH>                                           4,242
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   65,482
<ALLOWANCES>                                       889
<INVENTORY>                                     68,372
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               153,914
<PP&E>                                         180,529
<DEPRECIATION>                                  69,381
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 345,525
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           51,856
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        45,603
<OTHER-SE>                                     227,580
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   345,525
<SALES>                                        196,274
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               196,274
<CGS>                                           86,190
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   60,222
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   994
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 48,868
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,326
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             30,542
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    30,542
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.32