<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000080424
<NAME> THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              JUL-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           1,305
<SECURITIES>                                     1,207
<RECEIVABLES>                                    3,009
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      3,239
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                10,853
<PP&E>                                          19,337
<DEPRECIATION>                                   7,833
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  29,715
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            9,440
<BONDS>                                          4,587
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      1,842
<COMMON>                                         1,342
<OTHER-SE>                                       8,934
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    29,715
<SALES>                                         18,996
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                18,996
<CGS>                                           10,530
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    5,039
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 262
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,263
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,130
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,133
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,133
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.44