
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF POLARIS
INDUSTRIES INC. AS OF JUNE 30, 1998, AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
OPERATIONS, SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY AND CASH FLOWS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30,
1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                           6,750
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   18,589
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    161,549
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               217,099
<PP&E>                                         218,253
<DEPRECIATION>                                 103,470
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 399,630
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          205,712
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           260
<OTHER-SE>                                     173,388
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   399,360
<SALES>                                        484,712
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               484,712
<CGS>                                          373,699
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  373,699
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                78,271
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,299
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 35,695
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,850
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             22,845
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    22,845
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.87
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.87
        

</TABLE>
