
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000766041
<NAME> CENTRAL SPRINKLER CORPORATION
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1996             OCT-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1996             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1996             APR-30-1996
<CASH>                                           4,415                   4,415
<SECURITIES>                                    11,211                  11,211
<RECEIVABLES>                                   37,186                  37,186
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,981                   3,981
<INVENTORY>                                     39,334                  39,334
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                94,193                  94,193
<PP&E>                                          53,137                  53,137
<DEPRECIATION>                                  17,531                  17,531
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 134,318                 134,318
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           53,307                  53,307
<BONDS>                                         26,069                  26,069
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                            55                      55
<OTHER-SE>                                      52,385                  52,385
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   134,318                 134,318
<SALES>                                         44,801                  85,551
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                44,801                  85,551
<CGS>                                           31,520                  59,989
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   31,520                  59,989
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                10,629                  20,682
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 626                   1,171
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,026                   3,709
<INCOME-TAX>                                       761                   1,403
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,265                   2,306
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,265                   2,306
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .38                     .69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .38                     .69
        


</TABLE>
