<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CABOT CORPORATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
SEPTEMBER 30, 1994 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1994
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1993
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1994
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                     1.
<CASH>                                          80,917
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  280,484
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,697
<INVENTORY>                                    216,882
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               606,388
<PP&E>                                       1,381,576
<DEPRECIATION>                                 687,068
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,616,756
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          475,115
<BONDS>                                        307,828
<COMMON>                                        67,775
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     75,336
<OTHER-SE>                                     920,725
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,616,756
<SALES>                                      1,679,819
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,686,561
<CGS>                                        1,234,272
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,234,272
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                70,227
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              41,668
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                118,325
<INCOME-TAX>                                    44,963
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             78,691
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    78,691
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    $1.96
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    $1.84