<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