<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) OF CABOT CORPORATION FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY>   US DOLLARS
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1994
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          29,522
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  293,524
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,955
<INVENTORY>                                    244,051
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               594,729
<PP&E>                                       1,399,601
<DEPRECIATION>                                 705,341
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,592,497
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          437,052
<BONDS>                                        301,753
<COMMON>                                        67,775
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     75,336
<OTHER-SE>                                     950,834
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,592,497
<SALES>                                        427,960
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               430,495
<CGS>                                          296,829
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  296,829
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                17,005
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,036
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 51,057
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,832
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             33,908
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    33,908
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.85
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.80