FORM 10-Q
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                  ---------


             [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
                    OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                  For the quarterly period ended AprilJuly 4, 1998
                                                 -------------------------

                                      OR

             [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
                    OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                 For the transition period from      to 
                                               -----    -----

                         Commission file number 0-362

                          FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC.
                          ---------------------------

            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

            Indiana                                     35-0827455
            -------                                     ----------
  (State or other jurisdiction of                     (I.R.S. Employer
   incorporation or organization)                    Identification No.)

         400 East Spring Street
           Bluffton, Indiana                            46714
           -----------------                            -----
  (Address of principal executive offices)            (Zip Code)

                                (219) 824-2900
                                --------------
             (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                Not Applicable
                                --------------
                    (Former name, former address and former
                     fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports 
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing 
requirements for the past 90 days.

             YES   X                                      NO
                 -----                                       -----

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of 
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

                                                  Outstanding at
             Class of Common Stock                May 14,August 3, 1998
             ---------------------                -------------------------------
                $.10 par value                    5,881,4095,765,805 shares



Page 1 of 11

 2

                          FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC.

Index


Page
PART I.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Number
- ---------------------------------                          ------

   Item 1.  Financial Statements

            Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
            as of AprilJuly 4, 1998 (Unaudited)
            and January 3, 1998...........................     31998

            Condensed Consolidated Statements of
            Income for the Three Months Ended
            AprilSecond Quarter and First
            Half ended July 4, 1998 (Unaudited) and 
            March 29,June 28, 1997 (Unaudited)..     4

            Condensed Consolidated Statements
            ofOf Cash Flows for the Three MonthsFirst Half
            Ended AprilJuly 4, 1998 (Unaudited) and 
            March 29,June 28, 1997 (Unaudited)..     5

            Notes to Condensed Consolidated
            Financial Statements (Unaudited)..............  6- 8

   Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis
            of Financial Condition and
            Results of Operations.........................     9Operations



PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION
- -----------------------------

   Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of
            Security Holders............................    10Holders

   Item 5.  Other Information

   Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K..............    10



Signatures................................................    118-K



Signatures
- ----------



 3

                        PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements
- -----------------------------

                         FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC.
                    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)                                AprilJuly 4,    January 3,
                                               1998         1998    
                                           (Unaudited)   (Audited)  
                                           -----------   ---------     -------
ASSETS                                                              
Current assets: 
  Cash and equivalents....................  $ 28,00934,087      $ 23,191  
  Marketable securities...................    31,73125,984        48,497  
  Receivables, less allowances of
    $1,330$891 and $1,349, respectively.......    18,318respectively.........    18,916        16,978  
  Inventories (Note 2)....................    40,25344,020        31,259  
  Other current assets (including
    deferred income taxes of $8,396$8,428
    and $7,490, respectively).............     9,4079,614         8,575  
                                            --------      --------
    Total current assets..................   127,718132,621       128,500  
Property, plant and equipment, 
  net (Note 3)............................    32,54933,059        32,357  
Deferred and other assets (including
  deferred income taxes of $1,010$972
  and $1,001, respectively)...............     2,0862,073         2,253
                                            --------      --------  
Total assets..............................  $162,353$167,753      $163,110  
                                            ========      ========
                                                                    
LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY                                 
Current liabilities:                                                
  Current maturities of long-term
    debt and short-term borrowings........  $  1,0183,557      $  1,196  
  Accounts payable........................     8,0067,277        10,472  
  Accrued expenses........................    22,91926,444        24,346  
  Income taxes............................        4,26430         4,513  
                                            --------      --------
    Total current liabilities.............    36,20737,308        40,527  
Long-term debt............................    19,14919,103        19,163  
Employee benefit plan obligations.........     7,8018,437         7,237  
Other long-term liabilities...............     3,3283,213         3,342  

Shareowners' equity:                                                
  Common stock (Note 5)...................       588592           585  
  Additional capital......................    12,02212,667        10,295  
  Retained earnings.......................    88,56391,516        87,508  
  Stock subscriptions.....................      (205)(136)         (625) 
  Loan to ESOP Trust......................    (2,059)       (2,292)
  Accumulated other comprehensive
    loss (Note 7).........................    (3,041)(2,888)       (2,630)
                                            --------      --------
    Total shareowners' equity.............    95,86899,692        92,841
                                            --------      --------  
                                    
Total liabilities and shareowners' equity.  $162,353$167,753      $163,110
                                            ========      ========  

     See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



 4

                         FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC.
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

                                        Three MonthsSecond Qtr. Ended  ------------------

                                             AprilFirst Half Ended
                                        -----------------  ----------------
                                        July 4,  March 29,June 28,  July 4,  June 28,
                                          1998      1997     1998      1997
                                          ----      ----     ----      ----
                                                                      
Net sales.................................   $56,014       $64,200sales.............................. $67,907  $75,935  $123,921  $140,135

Costs and expenses: 
  Cost of sales...........................    40,834        47,709sales........................  47,484   56,234    88,318   103,943
  Selling and administrative expenses.....     9,727        11,464expenses..  11,197   11,504    20,924    22,968
  Interest expense........................       314           345expense.....................     321      324       635       669
  Other income, net.......................      (875)         (497)net....................    (889)    (465)   (1,764)     (962)
                                        -------  -------  50,000        59,021--------  --------
                                         58,113   67,597   108,113   126,618

Income before income taxes................     6,014         5,179taxes.............   9,794    8,338    15,808    13,517

Income taxes..............................     2,354         1,984taxes...........................   3,799    3,069     6,153     5,053
                                        -------  -------  --------  --------

Net income................................income............................. $ 3,6605,995  $ 3,1955,269  $  9,655  $  8,464
                                        =======  =======  ========  ========


Per share data (Note 6):

  Net income per common share.............share.......... $  .631.02  $   .53.90  $   1.65  $   1.43
                                        =======  =======  ========  ========

  Net income per common share,
    assuming dilution....................dilution.................. $   .58.95  $   .49.84  $   1.53  $   1.33
                                        =======  =======  ========  ========

 
  Dividends per common share..............share........... $   .17  $   .15  $    .12.32  $    .27
                                        =======  =======  ========  ========



     See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



 5

                         FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC.
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                  (Unaudited)

(In thousands)                                     Three MonthsFirst Half Ended
                                                   ------------------
                                               April----------------
                                                July 4,       March 29,June 28,
                                                 1998          1997  
                                                 ----          ----
Cash flows from operating activities:                               
  Net income................................   $ 3,6609,655       $ 3,1958,464  
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net                          
    cash flows from operating activities:                             
    Depreciation and amortization...........     1,786         1,8163,385         3,753  
    (Gain)/loss on disposals of plant 
      and equipment.........................       (9)           38(39)           41  
    Changes in assets and liabilities:                                
      Receivables...........................    (1,505)       (2,083)(2,030)       (1,537) 
      Inventories...........................   (9,383)      (10,688)(13,029)      (12,736) 
      Other assets..........................      (864)          241(979)         (925)  
      Accounts payable and other accrued                              
        expenses............................    (3,946)       (6,236)(5,122)       (6,714) 
      Employee benefit plan obligations.....     602           7771,206         1,500
      Other long-term liabilities...........      (5)           (3)(128)         (109) 
                                               -------       -------
        Net cash flows from                                           
          operating activities..............    (9,664)      (12,943)(7,081)       (8,263) 
                                               -------       -------
                                                                    
Cash flows from investing activities:                               
  Additions to plant and equipment..........    (1,679)         (354)(3,534)       (2,273) 
  Proceeds from sale of plant and
    equipment...............................        10           96451           966
  Purchase of marketable securities.........       -          (6,846)
  Proceeds from maturities of marketable
    securities .............................    16,766        16,70422,513        31,596
                                               -------       -------
     Net cash flows from                                             
      investing activities..................    15,097        17,31419,030        23,443
                                               -------       -------  
                                                                    
Cash flows from financing activities:                               
  Repayment of long-term debt...............       (7)(58)          (76) 
  Borrowing on line of credit...............     2,496           -
  Repayment of line of credit...............      (174)(172)          -
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock....     1,484           3992,072           526  
  Purchase of common stock..................    (1,728)(3,772)      (24,000) 
  Proceeds from stock subscriptions.........       352           100  
  Reduction of loan from ESOP Trust.........       233           232
  Dividends paid............................    (881)         (707)(1,880)       (1,591) 
                                               -------       -------
    Net cash flows from                                             
      financing activities..................      (721)      (23,976)(729)      (24,809) 
                                               -------       -------
                                                                    
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash.....      106           144(324)           42
                                               -------       -------  
Net change in cash and equivalents..........    4,818       (19,461)10,896        (9,587) 
Cash and equivalents at                                             
  beginning of period.......................    23,191        22,968
                                               -------       -------  
Cash and equivalents at end of period.......   $28,009       $ 3,507$34,087       $13,381
                                               =======       =======  

     See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


 6

                         FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC.
             NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 (Unaudited)


Note 1:  Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
- ----------------------------------------------------

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have 
been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for 
interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and 
Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the 
information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles 
for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all 
adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for 
a fair presentation have been included.  Operating results for the three 
monthsfirst half 
ended AprilJuly 4, 1998 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be 
expected for the year ending January 2, 1999.  For further information, refer 
to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in 
Franklin Electric Co., Inc.'s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended 
January 3, 1998.


Note 2:  Inventories
- --------------------

Inventories consist of the following:

(In thousands)                                AprilJuly 4,    January 3,
                                               1998         1998    
                                               ----         ----
Raw Materials........................        $10,850$11,593      $11,119   
Work in Process......................          5,0045,225        5,157   
Finished Goods.......................         34,45137,378       24,911   
LIFO Reserve.........................        (10,052)(10,176)      (9,928)  
                                             -------      -------
Total Inventory......................        $40,253$44,020      $31,259
                                             =======      =======   


Note 3:  Property, Plant and Equipment
- --------------------------------------

Property, plant and equipment, at cost, consists of the following:

(In thousands)                                AprilJuly 4,    January 3,
                                               1998         1998    
                                               ----         ----
Land and Building....................        $20,367$20,402      $20,018   
Machinery and Equipment..............         82,98984,810       82,134   
                                             -------      -------
                                             103,356105,212      102,152   
Allowance for Depreciation...........         70,80772,153       69,795   
                                             -------      -------
                                             $32,549$33,059      $32,357   
                                             =======      =======


Note 4:  Tax Rates
- ------------------

The effective tax rate on income before income taxes in 1998 and 1997 varies 
from the United States statutory rate of 35 percent principally due to the 
effect of state and foreign income taxes.





7

Note 5:  Shareowners' Equity
- ----------------------------

The Company had 5,880,4095,914,805 shares of common stock (10,000,000(25,000,000 shares 
authorized, $.10 par value) outstanding as of AprilJuly 4, 1998.  During the firstsecond 
quarter of 1998, the Company amended its Articles of Incorporation to increase 
the number of authorized common shares to 25,000,000.

During the second quarter of 1998, pursuant to the stock repurchase program 
authorized by the Company's Board of Directors, the Company repurchased a 
total of 17,29332,000 shares for $1.1$2.0 million.  All repurchased shares were retired.


Note 6:  Earnings Per Share
- ---------------------------

Following is the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 
(In thousands, Three Monthsexcept                 Second Qtr. Ended  exceptFirst Half Ended
per share amounts)                    ------------------
                                            April-----------------  ----------------
                                       July 4, March 29,June 28,   July 4, June 28,
                                        1998     1997      1998     1997
                                        ----     ----      ----     ----

  Numerator:
    Net Income..........................    $3,660      $3,195Income.....................    $5,995   $5,269    $9,655   $8,464
                                       ======   ======    ======   ======

  Denominator:
 
   Basic
    Weighted average common
      shares.....     5,818       6,010shares.......................     5,851    5,849     5,835    5,930

   Diluted
    Effect of dilutive securities:
  
      Employee and director
        incentive stock options
        and awards........       491         458awards.................       463      442       476      450
                                       ------   ------    ------   ------

    Adjusted weighted average
      common shares..........................     6,309       6,468shares................     6,314    6,291     6,311    6,380
                                       ======   ======    ======   ======

  Basic earnings per share..............share.........    $ .631.02   $  .53.90    $ 1.65   $ 1.43
                                       ======   ======    ======   ======

  Diluted earnings per share............share.......    $  .58.95   $  .49.84    $ 1.53   $ 1.33  
                                       ======   ======    ======   ======



 8

Note 7:  Other Comprehensive Income
- -----------------------------------

The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, 
"Reporting Comprehensive Income" in the first quarter of 1998. Comprehensive 
income for the three monthssecond quarter and first half ended AprilJuly 4, 1998 and
March 29,June 28, 1997 isare as follows:
 
(In thousands)                        Three MonthsSecond Qtr. Ended   ------------------
                                               AprilFirst Half Ended
                                      -----------------   ----------------
                                       July 4, March 29,June 28,   July 4, June 28,
                                        1998     1997      1998     1997
                                        ----     ----      ----     ----

Net income..................................   $ 3,660      $ 3,195income.........................    $5,995   $5,269    $9,655   $8,464
Other comprehensive loss:
  Foreign currency translation
   adjustments..      (411)        (740)
                                               -------      -------adjustments.....................       153     (209)     (258)    (949)
                                       ------   ------    ------   ------

Comprehensive income, net of tax............   $ 3,249      $ 2,455
                                               =======      =======tax...    $6,148   $5,060    $9,397   $7,515
                                       ======   ======    ======   ======

Accumulated other comprehensive loss consists of the following:

(In thousands)                                  AprilJuly 4,    January 3,
                                                 1998         1998   
                                                 ----         ----
Cumulative translation adjustment...........   $(2,805)$(2,652)     $(2,394)
Minimum pension liability adjustment, 
  net of tax................................      (236)        (236)  
                                               -------      -------
                                               $(3,041)$(2,888)     $(2,630)
                                               =======      =======-------      -------  


Note 8:  Accounting Pronouncements
- ----------------------------------

Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits
- ------------------------------------------------------------
In February 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of 
Financial Accounting Standards No. 132, "Employers' Disclosures about Pensions 
and Other Postretirement Benefits" (SFAS No. 132).  This statement revises 
employers' disclosures about pension and other postretirement benefits.  It 
does not change the measurement or recognition of these plans.  SFAS No. 132 
requires additional information on changes in the benefit obligations and fair 
values of plan assets and eliminates certain disclosures that are no longer 
considered useful.  The Company will include the new disclosures in the notes 
to its financial statements beginning with the 1998 fiscal year end financial 
reports.




9

Item 2.  Management's Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition
And
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And Results Of Operations
- ----------------------------------------------

Operations
- ----------

Net sales for the firstsecond quarter of 1998 were $56.0$67.9 million, a 12.710.6 percent 
decrease from 1997 firstsecond quarter net sales of $64.2$75.9 million.  Year to date 
1998 net sales were $123.9 million, down 11.6 percent from year to date 1997 
net sales of $140.1 million.  Prior year net 
sales includedamounts include the sales of Oil 
Dynamics, Inc. (ODI).  ODI was a previously wholly owned subsidiary that was 
sold in October 1997.  NetSecond quarter net sales for the Company's ongoing 
operations were slightly lower than the prior year due to the strengthening 
dollar and softness in the Asian market.  Year to date net sales for the 
Company's ongoing operations increased due to higher volume in the submersible 
water systems motors and changes in the mix of products sold. Net income forsold offset in part by 
the first quartereffects of 1998 was $3.7 million, or $.58 per diluted share, 
compared to net income of $3.2 million, or $.49 per diluted share, for the same period a year ago.  Since the beginning of 1997, the Company has 
repurchased approximately 632,000 of its outstanding common shares.strengthening dollar.

Cost of sales as a percentagepercent of net sales for the firstsecond quarter of 1998 was 
72.969.9 percent, compared to 74.3a decrease from 74.1 percent for the same period in 1997.  Cost 
of sales as a percent of net sales for the year to date 1998 was 71.3 percent, 
a decrease from 74.2 percent for the same period in 1997.  Prior year cost of 
sales included ODI. The improvement 
isimprovements are primarily a result of selling ODI and 
productivity improvements.

Net income for the second quarter of 1998 was $6.0 million, or $.95 per 
diluted share, a 13.8 percent increase compared to net income of $5.3 million, 
or $.84 per diluted share, for the same period in 1997.  Year to date 1998 net 
income was $9.7 million, or $1.53 per diluted share, a 14.1 percent increase 
compared to year to date 1997 net income of $8.5 million, or $1.33 per diluted 
share. 

Selling and administrative expenses as a percent of net sales for the firstsecond 
quarter of 1998 was 17.416.5 percent compared to 17.915.1 percent for the same period 
in 1997.  Interest expenseSelling and administrative expenses as a percent of net sales for 
the year to date 1998 was $0.3 million16.9 percent compared to 16.4 percent for both the firstyear 
to date 1997.  Both the quarter and year to date selling and administrative 
expenses as a percent of net sales increased primarily as a result of higher 
employee related expenses.

Included in other income, net for the second quarter of 1998 was $.8 million 
of interest income and $.1 of foreign currency gains compared to  $.3 million 
of interest income and $.1 of foreign currency losses for the second quarter 
of 1997.  Included in other income, net for the first quarter ofyear to date 1998 was $1.0$1.8 
million of interest income and $0.1$.1 million of foreign currency losses.   
Interestlosses compared 
to $.8 million of interest income was $0.5and $.6 million andof foreign currency losses were $0.5 million 
for the same period in 1997.  Interest income was attributable to amounts 
invested principally in short-term US treasury and agency securities.

Capital Resources and Liquidity
- -------------------------------

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities decreased $11.9$11.6 million 
during the first quarterhalf of 1998.  The principal use of cash for operating 
activities was the typical seasonal increase in inventories.  Working capital 
increased $3.5$7.3 million during the first quarterhalf of 1998 and the current ratio was 
3.53.6 and 3.13.2 at the end of the first quarter ofJuly 4, 1998, and 1997,January 3, 1998, respectively. 


 10

                          PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION


Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
- ------------------------------------------------------------

The 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company was held on
April 17, 1998 for the following purposes:  1) To elect two directors for 
terms expiring at the 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders; 2) To approve an 
amendment to the Franklin Electric Co., Inc. Amended 1988 Executive Stock 
Purchase Plan; 3) To approve an amendment to the Restated Certificate of 
Incorporation to increase the number of shares of authorized common stock;  
and 4) To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent 
auditors for the 1998 fiscal year.

The results were:

1) Nominees for Director            For      Withhold Authority
   ---------------------            ---      ------------------

   William H. Lawson             5,513,275        68,206
   Donald J. Schneider           5,513,265        68,216
 
                                                            
                                    For      Against     Abstain
                                    ---      -------     ------- 
2)  Amendment to the 
     Amended 1988 Executive
     Stock Purchase Plan         4,871,618   115,914      17,116

3) Amendment to increase the
     number of shares of
     authorized common stock     5,175,339   400,376       5,766
     
4) Ratification of
    Deloitte & Touche LLP        5,574,032     4,615       2,834     

Total shares represented at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy were 
5,581,481 of a total of 5,870,960 shares outstanding.  This represented 95.1 
percent of Company common stock and constituted a quorum.  Total broker non-
votes related to the proposal to amend the Amended 1988 Executive Stock 
Purchase Plan were 576,833 shares.


Item 5.  Other Information
- --------------------------

On August 3, 1998, the Company completed the repurchase of 125,000 shares of 
its Common Stock pursuant to the stock repurchase program authorized by the 
Company's Board of Directors.  These shares were purchased from the Franklin 
Electric Co., Inc. Basic Pension Plan and the Franklin Electric Co., Inc. 
Contributory Pension Plan.  The purchase price for these shares of $65.577 was 
based upon the stock's average closing price for the twenty trading days prior 
to the transaction date of July 31, 1998.

In addition to the above repurchase, the Company repurchased, in the open 
market, a total of 26,000 shares of its Common Stock for $1.7 million during 
the period from July 5, 1998 to August 3, 1998.  All repurchased shares were 
retired.





Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
- -----------------------------------------

   (a)  Exhibits None.(Filed with this quarterly report)

         3(i)  Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Franklin
               Electric Co., Inc.

         3(ii) Amended and Restated By-Laws of Franklin Electric Co., Inc.

   (b)  Reports on Form 8-K

         None.






                                   11


                                    SIGNATURES
                                    ----------



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the 
registrant has duly caused this quarterly report to be signed on its behalf by 
the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



                                       FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC.
                                       ---------------------------
                                               Registrant         




Date   May 14,August 3, 1998            By  /s/ William H. Lawson
     -------------------------        ----------------------------------------------------------       ------------------------------
                                    William H. Lawson, Chairman
                                    and Chief Executive Officer
                                    (Principal Executive Officer)



Date   May 14,August 3, 1998            By  /s/ Jess B. Ford
     -------------------------        ----------------------------------------------------------       ------------------------------
                                    Jess B. Ford, Senior Vice 
                                    President and Chief Financial
                                    Officer (Principal Financial
                                    and Accounting Officer)