<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM VARIAN,
INC.'S MARCH 31, 2000 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>                              SEP-29-2000
<PERIOD-START>                                 OCT-02-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                              54,528
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      152,845
<ALLOWANCES>                                             0
<INVENTORY>                                         92,401
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   333,579
<PP&E>                                             196,925
<DEPRECIATION>                                     119,679
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     477,146
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              191,961
<BONDS>                                                  0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                               321
<OTHER-SE>                                         217,933
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       477,146
<SALES>                                            337,262
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   337,262
<CGS>                                              207,919
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      305,572
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   1,244
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     30,446
<INCOME-TAX>                                        11,874
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 18,572
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                        18,572
<EPS-BASIC>                                           0.60
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         0.56