<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 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                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998             MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1997             APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          57,821                       0
<SECURITIES>                                       904                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  774,174                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (34,587)                       0
<INVENTORY>                                    350,968                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,485,103                       0
<PP&E>                                         949,910                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                               (188,763)                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,360,782                       0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          939,475                       0
<BONDS>                                        708,452                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                         1,040                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,192,484                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,360,782                       0
<SALES>                                        829,427               2,346,553
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               829,427               2,346,553
<CGS>                                          621,893               1,798,595
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  621,893               1,798,595
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,190                   6,172
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,198                  34,374
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (392,977)               (338,574)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,882                   1,273
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (374,095)               (337,301)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (374,095)               (337,301)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (3.71)                  (3.65)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (3.71)                  (3.65)
        

</TABLE>