<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) OF CABOT CORPORATION FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31, 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1995
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          34,069
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  335,910
<ALLOWANCES>                                     8,459
<INVENTORY>                                    259,751
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               655,615
<PP&E>                                       1,474,988
<DEPRECIATION>                                 749,177
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,688,984
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          458,880
<BONDS>                                        301,380
<COMMON>                                        67,775
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     75,336
<OTHER-SE>                                     991,556
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,688,984
<SALES>                                        909,299
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               913,740
<CGS>                                          626,250
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  626,250
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                34,494
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              18,908
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                116,060
<INCOME-TAX>                                    42,771
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             80,287
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    80,287
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.03
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.89