<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SYBRON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          10,874
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  127,849
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,429
<INVENTORY>                                    120,317
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               282,640
<PP&E>                                         170,151
<DEPRECIATION>                                 123,429
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 974,613
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          138,767
<BONDS>                                        521,640
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           469
<OTHER-SE>                                     282,610
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   974,613
<SALES>                                        674,457
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               674,457
<CGS>                                          337,830
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  199,894
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   284
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              35,523
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                100,926
<INCOME-TAX>                                    43,342
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             57,584
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    57,584
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.20