<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