<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>
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997             MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996             APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                     311,920,000                       0
<SECURITIES>                                   767,000                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                              389,047,000                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                16,766,000                       0
<INVENTORY>                                175,414,000                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           981,874,000                       0
<PP&E>                                     336,267,000                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                             102,455,000                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           1,935,341,000                       0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      387,271,000                       0
<BONDS>                                    573,134,000                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                       697,000                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                 944,286,000                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             1,935,341,000                       0
<SALES>                                    339,259,000             772,978,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           339,259,000             772,978,000
<CGS>                                      253,468,000             568,866,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              253,468,000             568,866,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             1,376,000               2,425,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           5,395,000              13,367,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             18,040,000              37,672,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 4,963,000              10,367,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         13,077,000              27,305,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                13,077,000              27,305,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .22                     .51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .22                     .51
        

</TABLE>