<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, 1998 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US$
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          85,935
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  338,439
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,898
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               518,207
<PP&E>                                         267,596
<DEPRECIATION>                                 146,225
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,830,677
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          421,236
<BONDS>                                        849,039
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       216,778
<OTHER-SE>                                     806,426
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,830,677
<SALES>                                      1,171,972
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,171,972
<CGS>                                          680,509
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  680,509
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               218,639
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              27,973
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                249,605
<INCOME-TAX>                                   100,709
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            148,896
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   148,896
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.03