
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 1997
EMERSON ELECTRIC CO. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS AND CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEET FILED WITH THE COMPANY'S 1997 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-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                         221,100
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                2,254,200
<ALLOWANCES>                                    54,000
<INVENTORY>                                  1,881,600
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             4,716,800
<PP&E>                                       5,433,700
<DEPRECIATION>                               2,698,300
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              11,463,300
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        3,842,400
<BONDS>                                        570,700
<COMMON>                                       238,300
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   5,182,400
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                11,463,300
<SALES>                                     12,298,600
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            12,298,600
<CGS>                                        7,865,600
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                7,865,600
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             120,900
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,783,600
<INCOME-TAX>                                   661,700
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,121,900
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.52
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        





</TABLE>
