<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE CLOROX COMPANY FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1998, AS PRESENTED IN THE CLOROX COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR SUCH PERIOD, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1998 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1998 <CASH> 51199 <SECURITIES> 24300 <RECEIVABLES> 447937 <ALLOWANCES> 1521 <INVENTORY> 237182 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 818267 <PP&E> 1082272 <DEPRECIATION> 511996 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 2975904 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 881545 <BONDS> 703586 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 110845 <OTHER-SE> 934575 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2975904 <SALES> 1921619 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1921619 <CGS> 828092 <TOTAL-COSTS> 1547652 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (3797) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 50346 <INCOME-PRETAX> 327418 <INCOME-TAX> 127623 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 199795 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 199795 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.93 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.89