<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>