<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE CLOROX COMPANY FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1996, AS PRESENTED IN THE CLOROX COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR SUCH PERIOD, AND IS QUALFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1996 <CASH> 51788 <SECURITIES> 36645 <RECEIVABLES> 322318 <ALLOWANCES> 1521 <INVENTORY> 175613 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 620692 <PP&E> 956426 <DEPRECIATION> 415985 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 2180569 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 651864 <BONDS> 356902 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 55422 <OTHER-SE> 864157 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2180569 <SALES> 1545366 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1545366 <CGS> 700074 <TOTAL-COSTS> 1254957 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 2061 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 26113 <INCOME-PRETAX> 262235 <INCOME-TAX> 105946 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 156289 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 156289 <EPS-PRIMARY> 3.00 <EPS-DILUTED> 0