<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 1996
ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000044764
<NAME> HACH COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1996
<CASH>                                           8,487
<SECURITIES>                                    22,120
<RECEIVABLES>                                   16,094
<ALLOWANCES>                                       248
<INVENTORY>                                     12,769
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                53,183
<PP&E>                                          67,683
<DEPRECIATION>                                  38,571
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  93,295
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           11,314
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        11,623
<OTHER-SE>                                      67,197
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    93,295
<SALES>                                        114,285
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               114,285
<CGS>                                           57,839
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   57,839
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 17,300
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,046
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,254
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,254
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .99
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .99