<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated statement of income and consolidated balance sheet and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000021212
<NAME> COACHMEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                  3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                          18,727
<SECURITIES>                                       500
<RECEIVABLES>                                   34,319
<ALLOWANCES>                                       923
<INVENTORY>                                     56,840
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               113,029
<PP&E>                                          59,941
<DEPRECIATION>                                  26,497
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 165,409
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           51,529
<BONDS>                                         10,548
<COMMON>                                        22,014
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      75,223
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   165,409
<SALES>                                        148,640
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               148,640
<CGS>                                          129,489
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  142,649
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   132 
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    80
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 440
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,123
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,166
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,957                    
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                        2,294
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,251
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .83
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .83