
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF MARCH 31, 1998, AND THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998.
THIS INFORMATION IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000796370
<NAME> UNITED ASSET MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                         124,466
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  163,781
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               299,407
<PP&E>                                          94,902
<DEPRECIATION>                                (51,803)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,479,031<F1>
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          193,388
<BONDS>                                        799,584<F2>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           703
<OTHER-SE>                                     454,856
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,479,031
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               241,820
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  164,617
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                26,833<F3>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,735
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 38,635
<INCOME-TAX>                                    16,537
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             22,098
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    22,098
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .31
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDES COST ASSIGNED TO CONTRACTS ACQUIRED, NET OF $1,027,580.
<F2>INCLUDES SENIOR NOTES PAYABLE OF $587,000 AND SUBORDINATED NOTES PAYABLE OF
$212,584.
<F3>REPRESENTS AMORTIZATION OF COST ASSIGNED TO CONTRACTS ACQUIRED.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>
