<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND STATEMENT 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                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1999             MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1998             APR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998             SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          58,028                       0
<SECURITIES>                                       116                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,099,638                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (46,219)                       0
<INVENTORY>                                    526,508                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,118,870                       0
<PP&E>                                       1,363,692                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                               (319,353)                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,834,583                       0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,217,805                       0
<BONDS>                                      1,403,566                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                         1,703                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,567,983                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,834,583                       0
<SALES>                                      1,225,882               2,345,213
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,225,882               2,345,213
<CGS>                                          861,445               1,649,614
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  861,445               1,649,614
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 4,144                  10,264
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              29,533                  55,181
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 94,092                (80,909)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    33,881                  14,277
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             60,211                (95,186)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    60,211                (95,186)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.37                  (0.59)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.36                  (0.59)
        

</TABLE>