<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL AS OF JUNE 30,
1996 AND THE RELATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS THEN ENDED AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          98,823
<SECURITIES>                                   519,794
<RECEIVABLES>                                  999,600
<ALLOWANCES>                                    67,102
<INVENTORY>                                    133,247
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               731,931
<PP&E>                                       1,629,635
<DEPRECIATION>                                 287,025
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               8,308,133
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          456,024
<BONDS>                                      2,122,614
<COMMON>                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    117,659
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,976,306
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 8,308,133
<SALES>                                      1,083,337
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,140,202
<CGS>                                          830,172
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  835,971
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                28,890
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 5,249
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              73,375
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                210,791
<INCOME-TAX>                                    76,644
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            134,147
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   134,147
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.08