<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements (unaudited) of Cabot Corporation for the three months
ended December 31, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                              38
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      325
<ALLOWANCES>                                         5
<INVENTORY>                                        263
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   672
<PP&E>                                            1788
<DEPRECIATION>                                     856
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    1925
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              590
<BONDS>                                            336
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         75
<COMMON>                                           136
<OTHER-SE>                                        1301
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                      1925
<SALES>                                            435
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   437
<CGS>                                              300
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      300
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    23
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  11
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     45
<INCOME-TAX>                                        16
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 32
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        32
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.46
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.41