<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CABOT CORPORATION FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH
31, 1996, 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>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          40,978
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  338,795
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,134
<INVENTORY>                                    280,013
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               707,823
<PP&E>                                       1,631,884
<DEPRECIATION>                                 796,392
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,819,629
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          530,993
<BONDS>                                        341,489
<COMMON>                                       135,550
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     75,336
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,082,795
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,819,629
<SALES>                                        491,272
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               493,526
<CGS>                                          345,298
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  345,298
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                20,796
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,213
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 62,497
<INCOME-TAX>                                    23,124
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             42,917
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    42,917
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .58
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .54