<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000949859 <NAME> CFC INTERNATIONAL INC <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 <CASH> 447259 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 6096303 <ALLOWANCES> 556502 <INVENTORY> 7444344 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 14698052 <PP&E> 17487844 <DEPRECIATION> 8625840 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 27337277 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 4693731 <BONDS> 6672790 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 9945857 <OTHER-SE> 0 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 27337277 <SALES> 27707867 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 27707867 <CGS> 16891577 <TOTAL-COSTS> 16891577 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 177968 <LOSS-PROVISION> 964345 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 181637 <INCOME-PRETAX> 3560976 <INCOME-TAX> 1369378 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 2191598 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 2191598 <EPS-PRIMARY> .48 <EPS-DILUTED> .48