<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM VARIAN,
INC.'S APRIL 2, 1999 FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-01-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-03-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-02-1999
<CASH>                                          12,093
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  142,974
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     67,482
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               254,383
<PP&E>                                         194,087
<DEPRECIATION>                                 108,073
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 406,822
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          167,159
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           304
<OTHER-SE>                                     174,453
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   406,822
<SALES>                                        282,232
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               282,232
<CGS>                                          182,378
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  292,530
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (10,298)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,580
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (5,718)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (5,718)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.19)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.19)