<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
     THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENT OF EARNINGS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000920148
<NAME> NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1994
<CASH>                                          26,800
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  221,400
<ALLOWANCES>                                    16,000
<INVENTORY>                                     20,100
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               293,000
<PP&E>                                         233,100
<DEPRECIATION>                                  93,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,012,700
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          202,800
<BONDS>                                        563,800
<COMMON>                                           800
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     165,200
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,012,700
<SALES>                                        872,500
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               872,500
<CGS>                                          597,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  597,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               186,600
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              34,500
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 55,400
<INCOME-TAX>                                    25,300
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             30,100
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    30,100
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .36