<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q AS
OF MARCH 31, 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000033565
<NAME> ESSEX GROUP, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1995
<CASH>                                           7,540
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  156,333
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,578
<INVENTORY>                                    165,939
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               338,072
<PP&E>                                         336,249
<DEPRECIATION>                                  63,838
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 755,295
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          131,288
<BONDS>                                        200,000
<COMMON>                                       302,784
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      40,303
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   755,295
<SALES>                                        289,649
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               290,714
<CGS>                                          247,223
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  247,223
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                21,851
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,756
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,884
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,700
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,184
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,184
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0