<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
the Combined/Consolidated Financial Statements of Dade International Inc. as of
December 31, 1995 and 1996 and for the three years then ended and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                        DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                           JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                             DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                     3,700,000
<SECURITIES>                                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                            183,800,000
<ALLOWANCES>                               9,600,000
<INVENTORY>                              155,000,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                         397,600,000
<PP&E>                                   187,000,000
<DEPRECIATION>                            32,400,000     
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                         1,008,800,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                    225,900,000
<BONDS>                                  350,000,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              0  
<PREFERRED>                                        0  
<COMMON>                                           0  
<OTHER-SE>                              (25,000,000)        
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>           1,008,800,000          
<SALES>                                  795,800,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         795,800,000           
<CGS>                                    444,100,000           
<TOTAL-COSTS>                            444,100,000           
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                         411,800,000        
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   0       
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                        65,600,000        
<INCOME-PRETAX>                        (125,700,000)        
<INCOME-TAX>                            (45,400,000)       
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                     (80,300,000)       
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                         (25,000,000)       
<CHANGES>                                          0   
<NET-INCOME>                           (105,300,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      0