<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM EQUIFAX INC.
FINANIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 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-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          48,405
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  314,217
<ALLOWANCES>                                     8,311
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               445,393
<PP&E>                                         298,156
<DEPRECIATION>                                 161,916
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,368,025
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          384,923
<BONDS>                                        331,762
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       214,244
<OTHER-SE>                                     645,658
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,368,025
<SALES>                                        478,200
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               478,200
<CGS>                                          303,635
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  303,635
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                93,831
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,088
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 75,029
<INCOME-TAX>                                    30,312
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             44,717
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    44,717
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .31