<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM EQUIFAX INC.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997. AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CURRENCY> U.S.$
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          58,071
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  269,268
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,768
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               391,499
<PP&E>                                         216,307
<DEPRECIATION>                                 122,848
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,118,289
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          326,002
<BONDS>                                        273,544
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       215,296
<OTHER-SE>                                     621,796
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,118,289
<SALES>                                        999,114
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               999,114
<CGS>                                          579,717
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  579,717
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               190,349
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,033
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                258,667
<INCOME-TAX>                                   111,696
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            146,971
<DISCONTINUED>                                   1,449
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   148,420
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.03
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.03