
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1998, AND THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000796370
<NAME> UNITED ASSET MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                         164,097
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  154,772
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               328,513
<PP&E>                                         101,424
<DEPRECIATION>                                  58,548
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,462,281<F1>
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          227,288
<BONDS>                                        882,850<F2>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           703
<OTHER-SE>                                     319,262
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,462,281
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               722,941
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  487,252
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                86,118<F3>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              41,237
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                108,334
<INCOME-TAX>                                    46,366
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             61,968
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    61,968
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .92
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       89
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDES COST ASSIGNED TO CONTRACTS ACQUIRED, NET OF $968,614.
<F2>INCLUDES SENIOR NOTES PAYABLE OF $672,150 AND SUBORDINATED NOTES PAYABLE OF
$210,700.
<F3>REPRESENTS AMORTIZATION OF COST ASSIGNED TO CONTRACTS ACQUIRED.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>
