
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE COMPANY'S YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS (SEE ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 45) AND THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (SEE
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 44). THIS INFORMATION IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000796370
<NAME>UNITED ASSET MANAGEMENT CORP. 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                         173,638
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  180,921
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               366,422
<PP&E>                                          89,841
<DEPRECIATION>                                  48,731
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,513,500<F1>
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          262,019
<BONDS>                                        773,255<F2>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           703
<OTHER-SE>                                     457,449
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,513,500
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               941,621
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  634,299
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               276,224<F3>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              38,321
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (7,223)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (3,090)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (4,133)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,133)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.06)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.06)
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDES $1,018,172 OF COST ASSIGNED TO CONTRACTS ACQUIRED, NET.
<F2>INCLUDES $514,843 IN SENIOR NOTES PAYABLE AND $258,412 IN SUBORDINATED NOTES
PAYABLE.
<F3>INCLUDES $105,242 OF AMORTIZATION OF COST ASSIGNED TO CONTRACTS ACQUIRED AND
$170,982 OF REDUCTION IN VALUE OF INTANGIBLE ASSETS.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>
