<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) OF CABOT CORPORATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          58,148
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  369,030
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,267
<INVENTORY>                                    260,430
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               709,783
<PP&E>                                       1,712,045
<DEPRECIATION>                                 809,053
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,857,581
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          527,704
<BONDS>                                        321,497
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     75,336
<COMMON>                                       135,550
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,200,326
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,857,581
<SALES>                                      1,856,269
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,865,202
<CGS>                                        1,309,992
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,309,992
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                87,981
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              41,718
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                279,834
<INCOME-TAX>                                    98,216
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            194,057
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   194,057
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.60
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.42