<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ARROW INTERNATIONAL, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1000

                          
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>           AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                AUG-31-1999
<CASH>                            3,939
<SECURITIES>                          0
<RECEIVABLES>                    70,467
<ALLOWANCES>                        832
<INVENTORY>                      74,809
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                166,627
<PP&E>                          204,939
<DEPRECIATION>                   88,005
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                  357,484
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>            58,726
<BONDS>                               0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                 0
<PREFERRED>                           0
<COMMON>                         45,661
<OTHER-SE>                      232,506
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>    357,484
<SALES>                         295,946
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                295,946
<CGS>                           139,241
<TOTAL-COSTS>                   104,585
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                 (3,221)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                    0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                  55,341
<INCOME-TAX>                     19,646
<INCOME-CONTINUING>              35,695
<DISCONTINUED>                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                       0
<CHANGES>                             0
<NET-INCOME>                     35,695
<EPS-BASIC>                      1.54
<EPS-DILUTED>                      1.54