<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BLOUNT, INC. FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
JUNE 30, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          22,307
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  134,921
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,271
<INVENTORY>                                     93,603
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               272,926
<PP&E>                                         312,016
<DEPRECIATION>                                 179,627
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 535,215
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          101,936
<BONDS>                                         85,107
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     302,259
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   535,215
<SALES>                                        330,590
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               330,590
<CGS>                                          222,556
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  222,556
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,460
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 40,240
<INCOME-TAX>                                    14,769
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             25,471
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    25,471
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0