<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                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997             MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996             APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996             SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                      19,488,000                       0
<SECURITIES>                                   816,000                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                              223,391,000                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                 9,797,000                       0
<INVENTORY>                                 88,230,000                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           404,296,000                       0
<PP&E>                                     243,517,000                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                              65,155,000                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             936,659,000                       0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      235,690,000                       0
<BONDS>                                    202,568,000                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                       493,000                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                 399,510,000                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               936,659,000                       0
<SALES>                                    225,210,000             433,719,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           225,210,000             433,719,000
<CGS>                                      163,224,000             315,398,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              163,224,000             315,398,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               381,000               1,049,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           3,582,000               7,972,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              8,586,000              19,632,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 2,361,000               5,404,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          6,225,000              14,228,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                 6,225,000              14,228,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .12                     .28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .12                     .28
        

</TABLE>