<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MASCO CORPORATION'S SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1996 SEP-30-1995 <PERIOD-START> JAN-1-1996 JAN-1-1995 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 SEP-30-1995 <CASH> 196,500 50,980 <SECURITIES> 0 0 <RECEIVABLES> 526,040<F1> 463,580<F1> <ALLOWANCES> 0 0 <INVENTORY> 417,130 407,170 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,212,230 984,220 <PP&E> 906,450<F1> 831,770<F1> <DEPRECIATION> 0 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,489,820 4,448,530 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 497,570 397,660 <BONDS> 1,102,020 1,650,540 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0 <PREFERRED> 0 0 <COMMON> 160,710 160,280 <OTHER-SE> 1,616,460 2,170,700 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,489,820 4,448,530 <SALES> 2,394,000 2,173,000 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,394,000 2,173,000 <CGS> 1,498,900 1,349,280 <TOTAL-COSTS> 1,498,900 1,349,280 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 54,900 53,480 <INCOME-PRETAX> 353,000 315,770 <INCOME-TAX> 141,200 126,370 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 211,800 189,400 <DISCONTINUED> 0 15,500 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0 <CHANGES> 0 0 <NET-INCOME> 211,800 204,900 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.32 1.29 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.32 1.29 <FN> <F1>Receivables and property and equipment are presented net of allowances for doubtful accounts and accumulated depreciation and amortization, respectively. </FN>