<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CABOT CORPORATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1995
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          90,792
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  297,984
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,207
<INVENTORY>                                    253,110
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               677,859
<PP&E>                                       1,447,653
<DEPRECIATION>                                 741,132
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,654,333
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          402,379
<BONDS>                                        306,443
<COMMON>                                        67,775      
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     75,336
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,080,281
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,654,333
<SALES>                                      1,830,393
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,840,885
<CGS>                                        1,258,964
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,258,964
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                87,872
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              35,639
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                256,342
<INCOME-TAX>                                   101,080
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            171,932
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   171,932
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     4.35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     4.04