<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM EQUIFAX INC.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          57,614
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  290,570
<ALLOWANCES>                                     8,905
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               413,839
<PP&E>                                         293,354
<DEPRECIATION>                                 173,236
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,253,926
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          339,433
<BONDS>                                        360,199
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       213,138
<OTHER-SE>                                     551,192
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,253,926
<SALES>                                      1,323,612
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,323,612
<CGS>                                          832,603
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  832,603
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               279,401
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,220
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                205,374
<INCOME-TAX>                                    81,595
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            123,779
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   123,779
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .85
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .85