
<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000766041
<NAME> CENTRAL SPRINKLER CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                      <C>                     
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                    9-MOS                   
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1996              OCT-31-1996  
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1996              NOV-01-1995  
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1996              JUL-31-1996  
<CASH>                                           3,152                    3,152  
<SECURITIES>                                    11,712                   11,712  
<RECEIVABLES>                                   40,909                   40,909  
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,474                    4,474  
<INVENTORY>                                     41,218                   41,218  
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                98,682                   98,682  
<PP&E>                                          55,976                   55,976  
<DEPRECIATION>                                  18,362                   18,362  
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 140,828                  140,828  
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           58,809                   58,809  
<BONDS>                                         25,882                   25,882  
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                        0  
<PREFERRED>                                          0                        0  
<COMMON>                                            55                       55 
<OTHER-SE>                                      53,959                   53,959  
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   140,828                  140,828  
<SALES>                                         49,491                  135,042  
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                49,491                  135,042  
<CGS>                                           35,240                   95,229  
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   35,240                   95,229  
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                11,302                   31,984  
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                        0  
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 876                    2,047  
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,073                    5,782  
<INCOME-TAX>                                       769                    2,172  
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,304                    3,610  
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                        0  
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                        0  
<CHANGES>                                            0                        0  
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,304                    3,610  
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .39                     1.08  
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .39                     1.08  
                                                                                 

</TABLE>
