<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, 1995 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-30-1996 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1995 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1995 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 55,996 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 307,591 <ALLOWANCES> 5,325 <INVENTORY> 295,037 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 701,200 <PP&E> 1,537,627 <DEPRECIATION> 766,715 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,727,858 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 480,653 <BONDS> 335,118 <COMMON> 67,775 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 75,336 <OTHER-SE> 1,114,256 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,727,858 <SALES> 443,031 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 445,492 <CGS> 305,133 <TOTAL-COSTS> 305,133 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 19,550 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 9,421 <INCOME-PRETAX> 64,757 <INCOME-TAX> 23,960 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 43,351 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 43,351 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.13 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.05