<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Dade Behring, Inc. and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> APR-01-1998 JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1998 JUN-30-1998 <CASH> 56,100 56,100 <SECURITIES> 0 0 <RECEIVABLES> 370,400 370,400 <ALLOWANCES> 0 0 <INVENTORY> 268,800 268,800 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 814,500 814,500 <PP&E> 232,400 232,400 <DEPRECIATION> 0 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,558,200 1,558,200 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 447,800 447,800 <BONDS> 350,000 350,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0 <PREFERRED> 0 0 <COMMON> 0 0 <OTHER-SE> 237,900 237,900 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,558,200 1,558,200 <SALES> 318,800 644,700 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 318,800 644,700 <CGS> 128,500 259,000 <TOTAL-COSTS> 274,300 560,200 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 100 300 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 20,700 40,800 <INCOME-PRETAX> 23,700 43,400 <INCOME-TAX> 8,800 16,100 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 14,900 27,300 <DISCONTINUED> 0 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0 <CHANGES> 0 0 <NET-INCOME> 14,900 27,300 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0 0