<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995,
AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
AND 1995. THIS INFORMATION IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<CIK> 0000796370
<NAME> UNITED ASSET MANAGEMENT CORP.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1                       1
<CASH>                                         248,399                 125,448
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  149,843                 134,822
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               409,955                 274,419
<PP&E>                                          70,337                  62,576
<DEPRECIATION>                                  40,040                  34,148
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,449,049<F1>           1,419,031<F1>
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          233,204                 190,740
<BONDS>                                        607,486<F2>             673,520<F2>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           692                     692
<OTHER-SE>                                     551,552                 491,077
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,449,049               1,419,031
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               883,267                 734,353
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  570,327                 477,970
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               101,935<F3>              93,192<F3>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              39,757                  44,181
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                171,248                 119,010
<INCOME-TAX>                                    73,426                  51,754
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             97,822                  67,256
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    97,822                  67,256
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    $1.43                    $.99
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    $1.36                    $.95
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDES COST ASSIGNED TO CONTRACTS ACQUIRED, NET, OF $959,886 AND $1,055,676
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995, RESPECTIVELY.
<F2>INCLUDES SENIOR NOTES PAYABLE OF $150,000 AND $150,000 AND SUBORDINATED NOTES
PAYABLE OF $457,486 AND $523,520 FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND
1995, RESPECTIVELY.
<F3>REPRESENTS AMORTIZATION OF COST ASSIGNED TO CONTRACTS ACQUIRED.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>