<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MASCO
CORPORATION'S MARCH 31, 1997 FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         327,590
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  518,420<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    424,700
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,362,080
<PP&E>                                         939,060<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,684,130
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          479,690
<BONDS>                                      1,216,170
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       161,240
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,725,350
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,684,130
<SALES>                                        854,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               854,000
<CGS>                                          539,500
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  539,500
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              18,500
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                139,200
<INCOME-TAX>                                    55,700
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             83,500
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    83,500
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .52
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .51
<FN>
<F1>Receivables and property and equipment are presented net of allowances for
doubtful accounts and accumulated depreciation and amortization, respectively.
</FN>