<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SYBRON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000           
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                          21,792
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  176,718
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,644
<INVENTORY>                                    155,963
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               392,712
<PP&E>                                         194,597
<DEPRECIATION>                                 161,317
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,327,780
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          142,187
<BONDS>                                        701,254
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           974
<OTHER-SE>                                     422,250
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,327,780
<SALES>                                        436,191
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               436,191
<CGS>                                          214,073
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  122,215
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   210
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              26,168
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 73,525
<INCOME-TAX>                                    29,434
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             44,091
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    44,091    
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .46<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .44<F1>
<FN>
<F1>As adjusted for the two-for-one stock split effective February 20, 1998.
Prior Financial Data Schedules other than that for the period ended December
31, 1997 have not been restated to reflect the stock split.
</FN>