<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
*THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) OF CABOT CORPORATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          34,939
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  319,029
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,358
<INVENTORY>                                    301,060
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               649,670
<PP&E>                                       1,671,385
<DEPRECIATION>                                 808,991
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,847,483
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          532,391
<BONDS>                                        336,287
<COMMON>                                       135,550
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     75,336
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,111,446
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,847,483
<SALES>                                      1,391,621
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,398,507
<CGS>                                          968,942
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  968,942
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                67,829
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              31,205
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                180,411
<INCOME-TAX>                                    66,752
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            122,016
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   122,016
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.63
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.52