<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF THE CLOROX COMPANY, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1997, AS
PRESENTED IN THE CLOROX COMPANY'S FORM 10-K FOR SUCH PERIOD, AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000021076
<NAME> THE CLOROX COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                           62579
<SECURITIES>                                     38467
<RECEIVABLES>                                  358,517
<ALLOWANCES>                                      1521
<INVENTORY>                                     170340
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                673497
<PP&E>                                         1045407
<DEPRECIATION>                                  474762
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 2777952
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           892718
<BONDS>                                         565926
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        110844
<OTHER-SE>                                      925202
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   2777952
<SALES>                                        2532651
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               2532651
<CGS>                                          1123459
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  2066273
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                (5260)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               55623
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 416015
<INCOME-TAX>                                    166573
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             249442
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    249442
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0