<ARTICLE>                             5
<LEGEND>


EXHIBIT 27


Exhibit 27
Avon Products, Inc.
Financial Data Schedule

     This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from theAvon
Products, Inc. financial statements as of December 31, 1998 and for the year 
then ended included in the Form 10-K as of December 31, 1998 and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to such financial statements.

<MULTIPLIER>                     1000000
       
                              
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                   JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                     DEC-31-1998

<CASH>                                   106
<SECURITIES>                               0
<RECEIVABLES>                            493
<ALLOWANCES>                             (49)
<INVENTORY>                              538
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                       1,341
<PP&E>                                 1,393
<DEPRECIATION>                          (723)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                         2,434
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                  1,330
<BONDS>                                  201
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                      0
<PREFERRED>                                0
<COMMON>                                  88
<OTHER-SE>                               197
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>           2,434
<SALES>                                5,213
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                       5,213
<CGS>                                  2,053
<TOTAL-COSTS>                          4,642
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                          91
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                        41
<INCOME-PRETAX>                          456
<INCOME-TAX>                             191
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                      270
<DISCONTINUED>                             0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                            0
<CHANGES>                                  0
<NET-INCOME>                             270
<EPS-PRIMARY>                           1.03
<EPS-DILUTED>                           1.02