
<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF INCOME FILED AS A PART OF THE YEAR-END REPORT ON FORM
10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE YEAR-END
REPORT ON FORM 10-K.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                      0000887150          
<NAME>                             CHARLES W. CLAYTON
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1000
<CURRENCY>                                     US DOLLARS
       
<S>                                          <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                            DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                               JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                 DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                    1
<CASH>                                        12,003
<SECURITIES>                                     914
<RECEIVABLES>                                 19,522
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (3,295) 
<INVENTORY>                                   18,728
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              52,012
<PP&E>                                        38,120
<DEPRECIATION>                               (23,027)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                80,585
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         15,709
<BONDS>                                        7,166
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              0
<PREFERRED>                                        0
<COMMON>                                         419
<OTHER-SE>                                    57,291
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  80,585
<SALES>                                      164,428
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             164,428
<CGS>                                        127,631
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                127,631
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              23,948
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             1,343
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               11,506
<INCOME-TAX>                                   2,500
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            9,006
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0
<CHANGES>                                          0 
<NET-INCOME>                                   9,006
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   2.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   2.02
        


</TABLE>
