<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted
         from Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
         June 30, 1999 and is qualified in its entirety by reference
         to such financial statements.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                                         
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                     6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                           13,071
<SECURITIES>                                          0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   193,662
<ALLOWANCES>                                          0
<INVENTORY>                                     139,325
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                384,028
<PP&E>                                          251,075
<DEPRECIATION>                                  125,085
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  665,037
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           191,233
<BONDS>                                         242,935
<COMMON>                                         12,479
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                 0
<PREFERRED>                                           0
<OTHER-SE>                                      209,863
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    665,037
<SALES>                                         368,773
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                368,773
<CGS>                                           173,913
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   173,913
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                      0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               16,568
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  11,808
<INCOME-TAX>                                      3,779
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               8,029
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0
<CHANGES>                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                      8,029
<EPS-BASIC>                                      0.66
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      0.65