
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000766041
<NAME> CENTRAL SPRINKLER CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997             OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1997             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997             APR-30-1997
<CASH>                                           2,792                   2,792
<SECURITIES>                                    14,074                  14,074
<RECEIVABLES>                                   49,051                  49,051
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,223                   5,223
<INVENTORY>                                     49,513                  49,513
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               118,409                 118,409
<PP&E>                                          67,884                  67,884
<DEPRECIATION>                                  21,819                  21,819
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 168,725                 168,725
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           78,233                  78,233
<BONDS>                                         30,009                  30,009
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                            56                      56
<OTHER-SE>                                      58,123                  58,123
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   168,725                 168,725
<SALES>                                         53,873                 102,053
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                53,873                 102,053
<CGS>                                           36,721                  69,816
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   36,721                  69,816
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                12,637                  24,666
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,076                   2,063
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,439                   5,508
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,281                   2,051
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,158                   3,457
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,158                   3,457
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .64                    1.03
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .64                    1.03
        

</TABLE>
