<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SYBRON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION 
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY 
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          15,489
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  133,600
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,486
<INVENTORY>                                    133,634
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               311,754
<PP&E>                                         171,830
<DEPRECIATION>                                 129,971
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,008,156
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          123,598
<BONDS>                                        506,032
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           471
<OTHER-SE>                                     313,456
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,008,156
<SALES>                                        357,397
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               357,397
<CGS>                                          178,778
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   99,061
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   472
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              18,373
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 60,713
<INCOME-TAX>                                    24,560
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             36,153
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    36,153
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .74
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .74