<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MASCO
CORPORATION'S MARCH 31, 1996 FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1996             MAR-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-1-1996              JAN-1-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996             MAR-31-1995
<CASH>                                          45,690                  32,160
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  489,740<F1>                 453,070<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                    389,400                 392,700
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               991,110                 932,600
<PP&E>                                         865,340<F1>                 786,990<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,802,960               4,295,200
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          420,940                 443,880
<BONDS>                                      1,594,890               1,566,400
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                       160,430                 158,750
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,523,740               2,061,970
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,802,960               4,295,200
<SALES>                                        764,000                 721,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               764,000                 721,000
<CGS>                                          480,330                 438,830
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  480,330                 438,830
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,500                  16,550
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                106,800                 116,630
<INCOME-TAX>                                    44,800                  46,710
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             62,000                  69,920
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                   4,480
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    62,000                  74,400
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .39                     .47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .39                     .47
<FN>
<F1>Receivables and property and equipment are presented net of allowances for
doubtful accounts and accumulated depreciation and amortization, respectively.
</FN>