<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