<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Applied
Bioscience International Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheet and Statement of
Operations included within this Form 10-K and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                          11,304
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   57,745
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (3,319)
<INVENTORY>                                        231
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                77,087
<PP&E>                                          45,672
<DEPRECIATION>                                (24,157)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 115,157
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           43,696
<BONDS>                                            894
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           297
<OTHER-SE>                                      67,582
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   115,157
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               183,253
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  201,899
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,816
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,689
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,054    
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (21,462)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (16,134)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (5,328)
<DISCONTINUED>                                 (1,716)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (897)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (7,941)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.28)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.28)