
<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 MARCH 31, 1998, AND
THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS, SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY, AND
CASH FLOWS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                             961
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   24,103
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    152,005
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               208,852
<PP&E>                                         199,621
<DEPRECIATION>                                  94,628
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 382,468
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          155,136
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           263
<OTHER-SE>                                     173,469
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   173,732
<SALES>                                        210,001
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               210,001
<CGS>                                          163,197
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  163,197
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                35,179
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 479
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 13,064
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,703
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,361
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,361
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.32
        

</TABLE>
