<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from (Equifax
Inc. financial statements as of and for the six months ended June 30, 1997.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S.$
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          61,915
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  244,023
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,650
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               375,790
<PP&E>                                         212,488
<DEPRECIATION>                                 118,507
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,315,867
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          312,601
<BONDS>                                        382,786
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       215,058
<OTHER-SE>                                     696,429
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,315,867
<SALES>                                        655,028
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               655,028
<CGS>                                          378,731
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  378,731
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               129,986
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,804
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                179,670
<INCOME-TAX>                                    79,939
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             99,731
<DISCONTINUED>                                   1,449
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   101,180
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .70
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .70