<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from (a) Gelman
Sciences Inc.  Statement of Income and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for
the twelve months ended July 31, 1996 and the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of
July 31, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such (b) Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000310252
<NAME> GELMAN SCIENCES INC.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1996
<CASH>                                           9,590
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   28,270
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,828
<INVENTORY>                                     11,751
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                51,988
<PP&E>                                          75,267
<DEPRECIATION>                                  41,143
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  88,220
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           12,229
<BONDS>                                         11,303
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           794
<OTHER-SE>                                      63,894
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    88,220
<SALES>                                        112,057
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               112,057
<CGS>                                           56,864
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   56,864
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                48,225
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   478
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 607
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,883
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,547
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,336
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,336
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.53
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.53