<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, 1999 and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                          13,301
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  197,623
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,410
<INVENTORY>                                    185,280
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               443,328
<PP&E>                                         226,171
<DEPRECIATION>                                 200,415
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,585,213
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          166,563
<BONDS>                                        809,425
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,034
<OTHER-SE>                                     548,143
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,585,213
<SALES>                                        520,347
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               520,347
<CGS>                                          253,182
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  145,786
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (793)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              28,149
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 92,437
<INCOME-TAX>                                    36,607
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             55,830
<DISCONTINUED>                                     121
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 18,796
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    74,747
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .72
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .70