<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE DOVER CORPORATION QUARTERLY REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000 <CASH> 120,875 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 865,858 <ALLOWANCES> 24,125 <INVENTORY> 705,122 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,760,415 <PP&E> 1,499,413 <DEPRECIATION> (847,899) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 4,403,366 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,471,117 <BONDS> 634,295 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 236,698 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 1,904,484 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 4,403,366 <SALES> 1,251,283 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,251,283 <CGS> 794,144 <TOTAL-COSTS> 1,058,223 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (1,362) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 17,765 <INCOME-PRETAX> 178,993 <INCOME-TAX> 61,674 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 117,319 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 117,319 <EPS-BASIC> 0.58 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.57