<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