
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE EMERSON
ELECTRIC CO. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
AS OF AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 FILED WITH THE COMPANY'S
1996 FIRST QUARTER FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                         227,900
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,900,700
<ALLOWANCES>                                    48,500
<INVENTORY>                                  1,650,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             4,022,900
<PP&E>                                       4,341,900
<DEPRECIATION>                               2,167,400
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               9,733,200
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        3,231,700
<BONDS>                                        455,700
<COMMON>                                       238,300
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   4,753,800
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 9,733,200
<SALES>                                      2,565,800
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,565,800
<CGS>                                        1,650,400
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,650,400
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,100
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                361,900
<INCOME-TAX>                                   131,400
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   230,500
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.03
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        




</TABLE>
