<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM EQUIFAX INC.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          49,886
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  313,392
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,714
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               437,038
<PP&E>                                         286,884
<DEPRECIATION>                                 164,613
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,302,784
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          374,679
<BONDS>                                        305,992
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       213,573
<OTHER-SE>                                     603,482
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,302,784
<SALES>                                      1,811,223
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,811,223
<CGS>                                        1,126,741
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,126,741
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               380,064
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              23,036
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                303,563
<INCOME-TAX>                                   125,946
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            177,617
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   177,617
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.22