<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND STATEMENTS OF INCOME OF UNITED STATES
FILTER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY 
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998             MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1997             APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997             SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          32,622                       0
<SECURITIES>                                       483                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  646,067                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (27,811)                       0
<INVENTORY>                                    303,960                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,170,708                       0
<PP&E>                                         737,707                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                               (139,720)                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,804,966                       0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          663,574                       0
<BONDS>                                        625,220                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           929                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,462,807                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,463,736                       0
<SALES>                                        691,488               1,289,722
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               691,488               1,289,722
<CGS>                                          520,690                 971,117
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  520,690                 971,117
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,051                   3,982
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,530                  18,389
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 36,105                  66,627
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,561                  21,357
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             24,544                  45,270
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    24,544                  45,270
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.29                    0.55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.29                    0.55
        

</TABLE>