<ARTICLE> 5                                                       Exhibit 27 (a)
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE EMERSON
ELECTRIC CO. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
AS OF AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998, FILED WITH THE COMPANY'S
1998 SECOND QUARTER FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                         426,500
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                2,444,700
<ALLOWANCES>                                    58,800
<INVENTORY>                                  1,877,300
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             5,095,300
<PP&E>                                       5,676,100
<DEPRECIATION>                               2,869,300
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              12,110,600
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        4,074,800
<BONDS>                                        601,900
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       238,300
<OTHER-SE>                                   5,492,600
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                12,110,600
<SALES>                                      6,553,900
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             6,553,900
<CGS>                                        4,189,500
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                4,189,500
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              75,500
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                921,700
<INCOME-TAX>                                   331,800
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   589,900
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.33