<PAGE>


This Form 10-Q consists of  18 sequentially numbered pages.  The exhibit index
appears on sequentially numbered page 16.

                                      FORM 10-Q
                                           
                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                           
                                WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                           
                      QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                        OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                                           
                  For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1996
                                           
                          Commission file number:  01-10920
                                           
                         Fisher Scientific International Inc.     
       
                (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                                           
                  Delaware                                     02-0451017
     (State or other jurisdiction of                        (I.R.S. Employer
      incorporation or organization)                        Identification No.)

               Liberty Lane
          Hampton, New Hampshire                                   03842
    (Address of principal executive offices)                     (Zip Code)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (603) 926-5911

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports 
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities  Exchange Act 
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the 
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to 
such filing requirements for the past 90 days:   Yes    x  .    No        .
                                                    -------       --------
The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at October 31, 1996 was 
20,089,606.

                                      1

<PAGE>

                         FISHER SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL INC.

                                      FORM 10-Q

                       FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996

                                        INDEX

                                                                        Page No.

Part I  -    Financial Information:

   Item 1 -   Financial Statements:

              Introduction to the Financial Statements..................      3

              Income Statements -
              Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1995...      4
 
              Balance Sheets -
              September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995..................      5
 
              Statements of Cash Flows -
              Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1995.............      6
 
              Notes to Financial Statements.............................      7
 
   Item 2 -   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of
              Operations and Financial Condition........................      9
 
Part II - Other Information:
   
   Item 6 -   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K..........................     13
 
SIGNATURE...............................................................     14
 
EXHIBIT INDEX...........................................................     16

                                      2

<PAGE>


                         FISHER SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL INC.
                                           
                            PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                       INTRODUCTION TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                           
                                           
     The condensed financial statements included herein have been prepared by 
Fisher Scientific International Inc. ("Fisher" or the "Company"), without 
audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange 
Commission. The December 31, 1995 balance sheet was derived from the audited 
balance sheet included in the Company's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial 
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting 
principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and 
regulations.  The Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make 
the information presented not misleading when read in conjunction with the 
financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 
the year ended December 31, 1995.

     The financial information presented herein reflects all adjustments 
(consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of 
management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim 
periods presented.  The results for interim periods are not necessarily 
indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

                                      3

<PAGE>

                        FISHER SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL INC.
                                  INCOME STATEMENTS
                       (in millions, except per share amounts)
                                     (unaudited)
                                           
                                           
                                 Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended
                                    September 30,          September 30,
                                   1996       1995        1996        1995
                                  ------     ------     --------     -----
Sales                             $541.0     $333.7     $1,589.2     $951.7

Cost of sales                      394.6      243.6      1,164.3     686.3
Selling, general and
 administrative expense            121.0       80.1        358.4     224.9
Restructuring charge                  --       34.3           --      34.3
                                   -----     ------      -------     -----
  Income (loss) from operations     25.4      (24.3)        66.5       6.2

Interest expense                     5.7        2.4         22.1       7.2
Other (income) expense, net         (1.5)      (0.1)        (0.4)     (2.0)
                                   -----     ------      -------     -----
Income before income taxes          21.2      (26.6)        44.8       1.0
Income tax provision (benefit)       9.7      (10.8)        20.4      (0.2)
                                   -----     ------      -------     -----
  Net income (loss)                $11.5     $(15.8)       $24.4      $1.2
                                   =====     ======      =======     =====
Earnings (loss) per common share:

  Primary                           $.56      $(.96)       $1.35      $.07
                                   =====     ======      =======     =====
  Fully diluted                     $.56      $(.96)       $1.29      $.07
                                   =====     ======      =======     =====



                 See the accompanying notes to financial statements.


                                      4

<PAGE>



                         FISHER SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL INC.
                                    BALANCE SHEETS
                                    (in millions)
                                           


                                              September 30,  December 31,
                                                   1996         1995
                                                 --------     --------
                                                      (unaudited)
ASSETS
Current Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                         $13.6        $63.7
  Receivables, net                                  321.0        297.3
  Inventories                                       236.9        242.7
  Other current assets                               63.3         69.9
                                                 --------     --------
   Total current assets                             634.8        673.6

Property, plant and equipment, net                  209.1        207.6
Goodwill                                            272.9        270.4
Other assets                                        107.0        118.9
                                                 --------     --------
                                                 $1,223.8     $1,270.5
                                                 ========     ========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
  Short-term debt                                    $7.9        $11.7
  Accounts payable                                  215.8        231.2
  Accrued and other current liabilities             153.2        146.7
                                                 --------     --------
    Total current liabilities                       376.9        389.6

Long-term debt                                      276.5        446.3
Other liabilities                                   195.5        208.6
                                                 --------     --------
    Total liabilities                               848.9      1,044.5

Stockholders' equity                                374.9        226.0
                                                 --------     --------
                                                 $1,223.8     $1,270.5
                                                 ========     ========


           See the accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                      5
<PAGE>

                         FISHER SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL INC.
                               STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                    (in millions)
                                     (unaudited)


                                                   Nine Months Ended
                                                     September 30,
                                                   1996         1995
                                                 --------     --------
Cash flows from operating activities:

  Net income                                        $24.4         $1.2

  Adjustments to reconcile net income to
   cash provided (used) by operating activities:
    Noncash restructuring charge                       --         34.3
    Depreciation and amortization                    32.4         17.7
    Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment    (1.5)          --
    Deferred income taxes                             7.4        (11.9)
  Changes in working capital:
    Receivables, net                                (25.0)       (14.4)
    Inventories                                       4.5        (17.4)
    Payables, accrued and other current 
     liabilities                                    (26.1)        (2.0)
    Other working capital changes                     5.2          0.2
  Other assets and liabilities                         --         (9.7)
                                                 --------     --------
    Cash provided (used) by operating 
     activities                                      21.3         (2.0)
                                                 --------     --------

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Acquisitions, net of cash acquired                 (4.7)       (25.3)
  Marketable securities proceeds                       --         21.3
  Capital expenditures                              (24.4)       (17.2)
  Proceeds from sale of property, plant 
   and equipment                                      2.4           --
  Other investing activities                         (0.4)        (2.9)
                                                 --------     --------
    Cash used in investing activities               (27.1)       (24.1)
                                                 --------     --------

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from stock options exercised               6.6          3.2
  Dividends paid                                     (1.1)        (1.0)
  Long-term debt proceeds                             5.5          3.7
  Long-term debt payments                           (55.3)        (1.5)
                                                 --------     --------
    Cash provided (used) by financing
     activities                                     (44.3)         4.4
                                                 --------     --------

Net change in cash and cash equivalents             (50.1)       (21.7)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period      63.7         36.9
                                                 --------     --------
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period           $13.6        $15.2
                                                 ========     ========

                                           
            See the accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                      6

<PAGE>

                     FISHER SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL INC.
                        NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                           

NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION
    
    Fisher Scientific International Inc.'s ("Fisher" or the "Company") 
operations are conducted by wholly owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, 
joint ventures, equity interests and agents, located in North and South 
America, Europe, the Far East, the Middle East, Africa and Australia.  The 
Company's activities relate principally to one business segment -- scientific 
and clinical products.  This includes operations engaged in the supply, 
marketing, service and manufacture of scientific, clinical, educational and 
occupational health and safety products.   

    Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to their 
current presentation.

NOTE 2 - ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

     Effective January 1,1996, the Company adopted Statement of Financial 
Accounting Standards Number 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived 
Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of."  The new standard did 
not have any effect on the Company's financial statements.

     Also effective January 1, 1996, the Company adopted Statement of 
Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based 
Compensation". This statement allowed for, and the Company retained, the 
current method of accounting for employee stock-based compensation 
arrangements in accordance with Accounting Principles Board No. 25, 
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees". The new standard did not have a 
material effect on the Company's financial statements.

NOTE 3 - INVENTORIES
    
     On January 1, 1996, the Company changed its method of accounting for 
substantially all inventories of its newly acquired subsidiary Curtin 
Matheson Scientific Inc. (approximately $84 million) from the first-in, 
first-out (FIFO) method to the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method to conform 
CMS's accounting policies with that of Fisher Scientific Company, the 
Company's principal United States operating subsidiary.  The Company believes 
the LIFO method better matches current costs with current selling prices.  
The change did not have a significant effect on the results of operations.

NOTE 4 - DEBT 

                                              September 30,  December 31,
                                                   1996         1995
                                                 --------     --------
                                                       in millions

Bank Credit Facility                               $113.4       $161.5
7 1/8% Notes (net of a discount
 of $1.2 million at September 30, 1996
 and December 31, 1995)                             148.8        148.8
Convertible subordinated notes                         --        125.0
Capital lease obligations                             6.1          7.8
Other                                                16.1         14.9
Less current portion of long-term debt               (7.9)       (11.7)
                                                 --------     --------
                                                   $276.5       $446.3
                                                 ========     ========


                                      7

<PAGE>

   On June 12, 1996, the Company called for the redemption of its $125 
million step-up convertible subordinated notes due 2003, at a price of 
103.65% of principal, plus accrued interest.  The notes could also be 
converted into common stock at a conversion price of $35 1/8 per share. On 
June 25, 1996, approximately 97%, or $121.6 million, of the notes were 
converted into 3,463,154 shares of the Company's common stock.  On July 2, 
1996, the Company redeemed the remaining notes for $3.5 million plus accrued 
interest.  The conversion resulted in an increase in stockholders' equity  
and a reduction in long-term debt of approximately $125 million.

NOTE 5 - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                           Capital
                                           in                  
                                 Common    Excess of                     Retained 
                                 Stock     Par Value         Other       Earnings     Total
                                 -----     ---------         -----       --------    -------
<S>                              <C>         <C>             <C>          <C>        <C>
                                                         in millions

Balance, December 31, 1995        $0.2       $135.5          $(2.8)       $93.1      $226.0
                                                                       
  Net Income                        --           --            --          24.4        24.4
                                                                         
  Proceeds from stock options       --          6.6            --            --         6.6
                                                                         
  Tax benefit from exercise                                              
   of stock options                 --          1.3            --            --         1.3
                                                                         
  Dividends ($0.06 per share)       --           --            --          (1.1)       (1.1)
                                                                         
  Other                             --           --          (7.7)           --        (7.7)
                                                                         
  Conversion of Convertible                                              
   Subordinated Notes               --        125.4            --            --       125.4
                                 -----       ------          -----        ------     ------
Balance, September 30, 1996       $0.2       $268.8         $(10.5)       $116.4     $374.9
                                 =====       ======          =====        ======     ======
</TABLE>

On September 18, 1996, Fisher's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash 
dividend of $0.02 per share, payable October 17, 1996 to shareholders of 
record October 3, 1996.

                                      8

<PAGE>


ITEM 2 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF
         OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

     This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of 
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934.  The Company's actual results could differ materially 
from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.  Certain factors that 
might cause such a difference include those factors discussed in the section 
entitled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and 
Financial Condition - Overview" contained in the Company's Form 10-K for the 
year ended December 31, 1995.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

  SALES

     Sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1996 increased 
62% and 67% to $541.0 million and $1,589.2 million, respectively, from $333.7 
million and $951.7 million for the comparable periods in 1995.  The sales 
increases in both periods primarily reflect sales of the laboratory supplies 
division of Fisons plc acquired in October 1995, which consisted of Curtin 
Matheson Scientific Inc. ("CMS") and Fisons Scientific Equipment Ltd. ("FSE" 
-now named Fisher Scientific U.K. Ltd.), as well as growth in Fisher's 
historical North American operations. 

  GROSS PROFIT

     Fisher's gross profit for the three and nine month periods ended 
September 30, 1996 increased 62% and 60% to $146.4 million and $424.9 
million, respectively, from $90.1 million and $265.4 million for the 
comparable periods in 1995, primarily resulting from the aforementioned sales 
growth. 

      Gross profit as a percent of sales for the three and nine month periods 
ended September 30, 1996 was 27.1% and 26.7%, respectively, compared with 
27.0% and 27.9% for the corresponding periods in 1995.  The decrease in gross 
profit as a percent of sales for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 
reflects the inclusion of lower gross margins associated with the recently 
acquired CMS and FSE businesses (including $1.0 million of costs associated 
with the revaluation of acquired inventory) partially offset by improvements 
in gross margins of Fisher's historical North American operations. The slight 
increase in gross profit as a percent of sales for the three months ended 
September 30, 1996 is due to an increase in the effect of the improvements at 
the historical North American operations throughout the year.

  SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE
 
    Selling, general and administrative expense for the three and nine months 
ended September 30, 1996 increased 51.1% and 59.4% to $121.0 million and 
$358.4 million, respectively, from $80.1 million and $224.9 million for the 
comparable periods in 1995.  These increases resulted from the inclusion of 
selling, general and administrative expenses of recently acquired businesses, 

                                      9

<PAGE>

nonrecurring costs to integrate CMS into Fisher and nonrecurring costs 
associated with the implementation of the restructuring plan that began in 
the third quarter of 1995.  Certain costs resulting from the temporary 
duplication of operations, relocation of inventories and employees, hiring 
and training new employees, and other one-time and redundant costs, which 
should be eliminated as the restructuring plan is fully implemented, are 
recognized as incurred.  For the three and nine month periods ended September 
30, 1996, approximately $4.6 million and $14.6 million, respectively, of such 
charges have been recorded and are included in selling, general and 
administrative expense. 

     Operations outside of the United States continue to have significantly 
higher selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of sales 
as compared with that of Fisher's domestic operations.  These higher costs 
are being incurred as part of a plan to develop an integrated worldwide 
supply capability, the benefit of which has not been realized.
    
  INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

     Income (loss) from operations for the three and nine month periods ended 
September 30, 1996 increased to $25.4 million and $66.5 million, 
respectively, compared with ($24.3) million and $6.2 million for the 
corresponding periods in 1995. These increases reflect the effect of the 
restructuring charge of $34.3 million recorded in the third quarter of 1995 
as well as the factors described above.

  INTEREST EXPENSE

     Interest expense for the three and nine month periods ended September 
30, 1996 increased to $5.7 million and $22.1 million, respectively, from $2.4 
million and $7.2 million for the comparable periods in 1995.  The increases 
primarily reflect interest on borrowings used to finance the acquisition of 
CMS and FSE in the fourth quarter of 1995 partially offset by the June 1996 
redemption of the Company's $125 million step-up convertible notes discussed 
below.

  OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE, NET 

     Other (income) expense, net for the three month period ended September 
30, 1996 increased to ($1.5) million from ($0.1) million for the comparable 
period in 1995.  This increase is primarily due to $1.5 million of gains on 
sales of fixed assets, $0.7 million of which are due to fixed assets sales 
related to the restructuring plan.  Other (income) expense, net for the nine 
month period ended September 30, 1996 decreased to ($0.4) million from ($2.0) 
million as the gains on sales of fixed assets discussed above were offset by 
reduced income from an inactive insurance subsidiary and by other expenses. 


                                      10


<PAGE>

  INCOME TAX PROVISION

     The income tax provision for the three and nine month periods ended 
September 30, 1996 increased to $9.7 million and $20.4 million, respectively, 
compared with an income tax benefit of $10.8 million and $0.2 million for the 
corresponding periods in 1995.  The effective tax rate for the nine months 
ended September 30, 1996 increased to 45.5% compared with (20.0%) for the 
same period in 1995.  The effective tax rate for the comparable period in 
1995 was benefited by certain domestic net operating loss carryforwards.

  NET INCOME

     Net income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1996 
increased to $11.5 million and $24.4 million, respectively, from ($15.8) 
million and $1.2 million for the comparable periods in 1995 as a result of 
the factors discussed above.  

  LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES  

     During the nine months ended September 30, 1996, the Company's 
operations provided $21.3 million of cash compared with the $2.0 million of 
cash used during the same period in 1995.  This $23.3 million increase in 
cash flow from operations primarily resulted from an increase in net income 
adjusted for depreciation and amortization, deferred income taxes and the 
noncash restructuring charges.  The Company's operating working capital 
(defined as receivables plus inventories less accounts payable and accrued 
liabilities) increased to $188.9 million at September 30, 1996 from $162.1 
million at December 31, 1995.  The increase in operating working capital is 
primarily due to increases in receivables which were due to increases in 
sales volume and the impact of the integration of CMS into Fisher.
     
     Excluding the effect, if any, of future acquisitions and anticipated 
temporary inventory duplications as the Company completes its consolidation 
and relocation of logistical functions, the Company's operating working 
capital requirements are not anticipated to increase substantially throughout 
the remainder of 1996.

     During the nine months ended September 30, 1996, the Company used $27.1 
million of cash for investing activities compared with $24.1 million for the 
same period in 1995.  The increase in cash used for investing activities is 
primarily due to increases in capital expenditures.  For the nine months 
ended September 30, 1996 the Company's capital expenditures increased to 
$24.4 million from $17.2 million for the comparable period in 1995, 
reflecting capital expenditures associated with the consolidation and 
relocation of logistical and administrative functions. 

     During the nine months ended September 30, 1996, the Company's financing 
activities used $44.3 million compared with providing $4.4 million in the 
same period in 1995.  This change is primarily due to approximately $48 
million in prepayments of the Company's bank credit facility.  The Company 
may continue to prepay this debt to the extent of its surplus cash.

                                      11

<PAGE>

     On June 12, 1996, the Company called for the redemption of its $125 
million step-up convertible subordinated notes due 2003, at a price of 
103.65% of principal, plus accrued interest.  The notes could also be 
converted into common stock at a conversion price of $35 1/8 per share. On 
June 25, 1996, approximately 97%, or $121.6 million, of the notes were 
converted into 3,463,154 shares of the Company's common stock.  On July 2, 
1996, the Company redeemed the remaining notes for $3.5 million plus accrued 
interest.  The conversion resulted in an increase in stockholders' equity and 
a reduction in long-term debt of approximately $125 million.

     Fisher expects that cash flows from operations, together with cash and 
cash equivalents on hand and funds available under existing credit 
facilities, will be sufficient to meet ongoing operating and capital 
expenditure requirements.

     On September 18, 1996, Fisher's Board of Directors declared a quarterly 
cash dividend of  $.02 per share, payable October 17, 1996 to shareholders of 
record October 3, 1996.











                                      12

<PAGE>

                          PART II - OTHER INFORMATION



ITEM 6 - EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

         (a)  Exhibits:

              Exhibit 11 - Computation of Earnings Per Common Share for the
              Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1995.

              Exhibit 27 - Financial Data Schedule

         (b)  Reports on Form 8-K:

              None.














                                      13


<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURE


    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act 
    of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed
    on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                  FISHER SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL INC.


Date:   November 13, 1996         /S/ PAUL F. PATEK
        -----------------         -------------------------------------
                                  PAUL F. PATEK
                                  Vice President - Controller















                                      14


<PAGE>

_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________




                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                                WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                   _________________



                         FISHER SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL INC.

                                       EXHIBITS

                                          TO

                                      FORM 10-Q

                       for the quarter ended September 30, 1996



_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________





                                      15


<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX



EXHIBIT NO.        DESCRIPTION                                  PAGE

    11             Computation of Earnings                       17
                   Per Common Share for the
                   Three and Nine Months Ended
                   September 30, 1996 and 1995

    27             Financial Data Schedule                       18

















                                      16