<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This  schedule  contains  summary  financial   information  extracted  from  the
consolidated  balance  sheet  as of  September  30,  1996  and the  consolidated
statement of earnings for the year ended  September 30, 1996 and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>          0000003327
<NAME>         ALBERTO-CULVER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
<MULTIPLIER>   1,000
<CURRENCY>     US DOLLARS                                                
<EXCHANGE-RATE>     1.00
       
<S>                                                                  <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                        12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                    SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                                       OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                                         SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                                               $  66,211
<SECURITIES>                                                             5,346
<RECEIVABLES>                                                          133,926
<ALLOWANCES>                                                            (8,208)
<INVENTORY>                                                            288,525
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                       512,718
<PP&E>                                                                 319,866
<DEPRECIATION>                                                         143,946
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                         909,266
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                  286,595
<BONDS>                                                                161,548
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                        0
<PREFERRED>                                                                  0
<COMMON>                                                                 7,526
<OTHER-SE>                                                             417,570
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                           909,266
<SALES>                                                              1,590,409
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                     1,590,409
<CGS>                                                                  805,080
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                          805,080
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                       673,247
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                         6,309
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                      15,905
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                        100,014
<INCOME-TAX>                                                            37,270
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                     62,744
<DISCONTINUED>                                                               0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                              0
<CHANGES>                                                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                                                            62,744
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                             2.22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                             2.11
        

</TABLE>