<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF REXALL SUNDOWN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE NINE
MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 1996, EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS 
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1996
<CASH>                                      11,529,043
<SECURITIES>                                 5,908,804
<RECEIVABLES>                               14,157,216<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                 26,630,374
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            67,517,405
<PP&E>                                      22,685,464<F2>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              96,858,461
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       20,228,861
<BONDS>                                        181,328<F3>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       303,335
<OTHER-SE>                                  76,144,937
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                96,858,481
<SALES>                                    136,208,541
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           136,208,541
<CGS>                                       52,878,672
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               52,878,672
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            63,282,766
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              29,865
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             21,767,484
<INCOME-TAX>                                 8,003,294
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         13,764,170
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                13,764,170
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.45
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>NET OF ALLOWANCE
<F2>NET OF DEPRECIATION
<F3>INCLUDES LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS
</FN>