
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 1996
EMERSON ELECTRIC CO. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS AND CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEET FILED WITH THE COMPANY'S 1996 FORM 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                            <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                         149,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                2,030,100
<ALLOWANCES>                                    50,300
<INVENTORY>                                  1,743,900
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             4,187,200
<PP&E>                                       4,865,600
<DEPRECIATION>                               2,414,800
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              10,481,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        3,021,100
<BONDS>                                        772,600
<COMMON>                                       238,300
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   5,115,100
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                10,481,000
<SALES>                                     11,149,900
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            11,149,900
<CGS>                                        7,165,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                7,165,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             126,900
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,609,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                   590,500
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,018,500
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     4.55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        





</TABLE>
