<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE CLOROX COMPANY FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998, AS PRESENTED IN THE CLOROX COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FILED FOR SUCH PERIOD, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1999 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998 <CASH> 70974 <SECURITIES> 38182 <RECEIVABLES> 348863 <ALLOWANCES> 1521 <INVENTORY> 214701 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 738465 <PP&E> 1149303 <DEPRECIATION> 550901 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 3009982 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1044417 <BONDS> 209404 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 110844 <OTHER-SE> 990757 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3009982 <SALES> 685883 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 685883 <CGS> 288551 <TOTAL-COSTS> 535710 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (3150) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 18796 <INCOME-PRETAX> 134527 <INCOME-TAX> 49105 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 85422 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 85422 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.82 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.81