
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000766041
<NAME> CENTRAL SPRINKLER CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S.
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH>                                             429
<SECURITIES>                                    14,173
<RECEIVABLES>                                   51,782
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,578
<INVENTORY>                                     48,790
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               118,481
<PP&E>                                          71,529
<DEPRECIATION>                                  23,601
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 170,529
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           78,514
<BONDS>                                         30,432
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            56
<OTHER-SE>                                      59,202
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   170,529
<SALES>                                         58,918
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                58,918
<CGS>                                           42,940
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   42,940
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                13,591
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,149
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,238
<INCOME-TAX>                                       370
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                868
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       868
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .26
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .26
        


</TABLE>
