
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000766041
<NAME> CENTRAL SPRINKLER CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<CURRENCY> US$
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          12,566
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   47,707
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (6,775)
<INVENTORY>                                     44,481
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               113,659
<PP&E>                                          76,387
<DEPRECIATION>                                (32,040)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 166,206
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           44,621
<BONDS>                                         69,410
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            56
<OTHER-SE>                                      31,629
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   166,206
<SALES>                                         50,728
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                50,728
<CGS>                                           36,672
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   36,672
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                11,365
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,365
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,326
<INCOME-TAX>                                       401
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                925
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       925
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .28
        



</TABLE>
