<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Balance Sheet of AMETEK, Inc. at September 30, 2000, and the
Consolidated Statement of Income of AMETEK, Inc. for the nine months ended
September 30, 2000, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                           6,942
<SECURITIES>                                     8,546
<RECEIVABLES>                                  141,432
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,726
<INVENTORY>                                    130,034
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               303,178
<PP&E>                                         518,987
<DEPRECIATION>                                 309,176
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 858,790
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          315,370
<BONDS>                                        232,942
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           334
<OTHER-SE>                                     257,607
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   858,790
<SALES>                                        766,414
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               766,414
<CGS>                                          570,001
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  570,001
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                23,109
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   643
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              21,533
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 79,731
<INCOME-TAX>                                    28,436
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             51,295
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    51,295
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.60
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.58