The research actuality and new progress in clustering algorithm in recent years are summarized in this paper. First, the analysis and induction of some representative clustering algorithms have been made from several aspects, such as the ideas of algorithm, key technology, advantage and disadvantage. On the other hand, several typical clustering algorithms and known data sets are selected, simulation experiments are implemented from both sides of accuracy and running efficiency, and clustering condition of one algorithm with different data sets is analyzed by comparing with the same clustering of the data set under different algorithms. Finally, the research hotspot, difficulty, shortage of the data clustering and some pending problems are addressed by the integration of the aforementioned two aspects information. The above work can give a valuable reference for data clustering and data mining.