<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Dade Behring and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 <CASH> 20,500 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 359,600 <ALLOWANCES> 27,700 <INVENTORY> 272,500 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 765,200 <PP&E> 214,500 <DEPRECIATION> 364,500 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,510,400 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 431,200 <BONDS> 350,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 204,100 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,510,400 <SALES> 980,500 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 980,500 <CGS> 654,100 <TOTAL-COSTS> 1,128,100 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (9,000) <LOSS-PROVISION> 17,000 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 87,800 <INCOME-PRETAX> (226,400) <INCOME-TAX> (83,800) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (142,600) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (142,600) <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0