<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary information extracted from unaudited consolidated
financial statements of Sybron International Corporation for the nine months
ended June 30, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          16,091
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  157,733
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,765
<INVENTORY>                                    151,061
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               358,411
<PP&E>                                         186,542
<DEPRECIATION>                                 144,157
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,216,757
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          150,356
<BONDS>                                        668,091
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           477
<OTHER-SE>                                     336,528
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,216,757
<SALES>                                        571,676
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               571,676
<CGS>                                          283,457
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  159,629
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   551
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,333
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 97,706
<INCOME-TAX>                                    38,891
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             58,815
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    673
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    58,142
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.18