<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
the 1998 Annual Report of Dade Behring Inc. and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                              DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                         25,800
<SECURITIES>                                        0         
<RECEIVABLES>                                 401,200
<ALLOWANCES>                                   18,000
<INVENTORY>                                   265,900
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              729,300 
<PP&E>                                        532,700
<DEPRECIATION>                                228,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              1,533,400
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         468,500
<BONDS>                                       350,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                            0
<OTHER-SE>                                    249,300
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                1,533,400
<SALES>                                     1,285,200 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            1,285,200
<CGS>                                         529,400         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               1,132,400 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (5,600)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             80,500
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                77,900
<INCOME-TAX>                                   34,400
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            43,500
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                   43,500
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       0