
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC. AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996,
AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS, SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY AND
CASH FLOWS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           5,812
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   36,158
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    122,911
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               191,405
<PP&E>                                         171,211
<DEPRECIATION>                                  77,698
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 351,717
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          161,387
<BONDS>                                         35,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     155,330
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   351,717
<SALES>                                      1,191,901
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,191,901
<CGS>                                          956,355
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  956,355
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               133,874
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,339
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 97,333
<INCOME-TAX>                                    35,040
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             62,293
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    62,293
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.24
        

</TABLE>
