<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
unaudited consolidated financial statements of Sybron International Corporation
for the three months ended December 31, 1996 and qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   4-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          21,800
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  122,618
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,360
<INVENTORY>                                    123,757
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               293,737
<PP&E>                                         170,024
<DEPRECIATION>                                 129,854
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 990,047
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          137,528
<BONDS>                                        478,673
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0 
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           471
<OTHER-SE>                                     303,207
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   990,047
<SALES>                                        171,496
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               171,496
<CGS>                                           86,580
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   49,378
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   224
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,151
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 26,163
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,760
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,403
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,403
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .32